Category: Articles

  • Part II: Zero Chance of A Lottery Win

    In the October/November issue of Generations Magazine, I explained that it is better to make a logical and legal argument against someone being a winner of a lottery, as opposed to showing them they are a victim of a lottery scam.

    The following facts prove that you have a zero percent chance of winning a lottery if you live in Hawai‘i.

    There are no registered lotteries in Hawai’i. Businesses that operate in Hawai’i must register with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Business Registration Division. This allows the state to regulate businesses and ensure compliancy with local laws. The only states that don’t have state lotteries or don’t participate in multi-state lotteries are: Hawai’i, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming.

    Tax liability only occurs after the money is received. Once you receive a lottery payout, Uncle Sam wants a fair share, because prize winnings are considered income. The state and federal governments collect taxes after, not before, you receive your money (either earned or won).

    In lottery-participating states, you must buy the ticket yourself and in person. Lotteries were created to generate revenue for states conducting the lotteries. These states receive a portion of the purchase price of the lottery ticket and place taxes on the prize money.

    If you want to participate in the lottery, you must physically go to that state and buy a ticket yourself. It is illegal for businesses to buy tickets for non-residents. If tickets were bought online, there would be no control over who won the lottery. You cannot win the lottery if you didn’t enter the contest yourself.

    It is illegal to play foreign lotteries while in the United States. Governments from every country (including the U.S.) want to regulate funds that enter and leave their economies. This includes lottery winnings. No government wants to lose millions to someone outside their country. Therefore, lotteries are specific to residents.

    You have time to collect your money. Lottery-participating states allow ticketholders a set amount of time, typically one year, to receive winnings. For every day that a state holds the unclaimed lottery money, interest is collected on the money. States benefit when money isn’t claimed right away.

    You are required to notify the lottery that you won. The lottery doesn’t notify you. Millions of dollars have not been claimed in lottery winnings because no one went to the lottery office in the participating state to present the winning ticket.

    If you live in Hawai’i and are contacted by a lottery or sweepstakes, you now know the truth. And you also know how to break the news to a scam victim.

    To report suspected elder abuse, contact the Elder Abuse Unit at 808-768-7536  |  ElderAbuse@honolulu.gov

    In the October/November issue of Generations Magazine, I explained that it is better to make a logical and legal argument against someone being a winner of a lottery, as opposed to showing them they are a victim of a lottery scam. The following facts prove that you have a zero percent chance of winning a…

  • Family Peacekeeping Methods

    Central to the Hawaiian culture is the value of ‘ohana,’ or family. Maintaining the “family health” was of utmost importance and was achieved through the regular practice of ho‘oponopono. In the article, “To Set Right Ho‘oponopono A Native Hawaiian Way of Peacemaking,” Manu Meyer discusses how families practice ho‘oponopono.

    Traditionally, ho‘oponopono discussions were facilitated by a haku, who assisted the family in working out problems through a series of discussions. This led to understanding of each family member’s perspectives and resulted in mutual forgiveness and resolution.

    Ho‘oponopono has been compared to the modern-day Alternative Dispute Resolution. A key difference is that ho‘oponopono was not only used to resolve dispute, it also was used to prevent disputes within the family.

    According to Roy William & Vic Pressor of Preparing Heirs, “Sixty percent of transition failures were caused by a breakdown of communication and trust within the family unit.” The potential influx in trust litigation is foreseeable, due to the aging demographic of baby boomers, Hawai’i’s high cost of living and the increase in multigenerational homes.

    Encouraging clients to partake in often difficult and sometimes messy family discussions, while everyone still is alive and able, is integral in preventing unwanted litigation. A haku or a ho‘oponopono facilitator may be effective in resolving family disputes.

    Stephen B. Yim, Attorney at Law
    2054 S. Beretania St., Honolulu HI 96826

    808-524-0251  |  stephenyimestateplanning.com

    Central to the Hawaiian culture is the value of ‘ohana,’ or family. Maintaining the “family health” was of utmost importance and was achieved through the regular practice of ho‘oponopono. In the article, “To Set Right Ho‘oponopono A Native Hawaiian Way of Peacemaking,” Manu Meyer discusses how families practice ho‘oponopono. Traditionally, ho‘oponopono discussions were facilitated by…

  • An Estate Plan For your Digital Assets

    You have a digital estate if you send emails, participate in Facebook and other social networking sites, do online financial transactions, play internet games, or store photos and other important files in the “cloud.”

    What happens to your digital estate if you become incapacitated or die?

    There are both federal and state laws that come into play, along with the agreements you “signed” when you created your digital assets. When you set up your various internet accounts, do you remember checking a box on each website concerning the “terms of service?”

    Unless you acknowledged having read and agreed to each vendor’s terms of service, you would not have been able to create those ‘online accounts.’ Who really reads all of that legal gobbledygook fine print? If you do, you are exceptional. The rest of us are stuck with agreements we never read and probably would not understand if we did.

    The typical “terms of service agreement” says that you are the only person who can access your digital assets. If you are incapacitated or dead, that could be tricky. If somebody tries to get information about your digital assets pretending to be you, he or she is probably violating federal law that defines such activity as “fraud.”

    This is true even if the person trying to access your accounts is your personal representative who needs information about your digital assets to do his or her job. The applicable federal law does not take noble motives into account.

    Most of the 50 states now have laws on the books that give someone the authority to access your digital asset while acting under a properly drafted durable power of attorney, or under court appointment as your conservator or personal representative. Those laws have gone through a painful evolution. The various internet providers, the public and the government have grappled with issues of privacy and personal freedom versus the need for your fiduciaries, and sometimes, the government, to look into your digital estate.

    The state laws differentiate between the content of what the law calls your “electronic communications” and the catalog of your electronic communications. Under the law, accessing a list of your communications is much easier than accessing what you said in those communications, but there are hurdles to be addressed either way.

    Generally, your fiduciaries can get the catalog of your electronic communications even if you did not expressly permit them to do so in your terms of service agreements. When it comes to email, the catalog includes the name of each sender, the email address of each sender, and the date and time each message was sent. It does not, however, include the subject lines or contents of your email messages.

    Even if you do consent to your fiduciaries being able to access the content of your digital assets, most internet vendors will require not only proof of your death or incapacity, but in many cases, a court order.

    So stay tuned as the law continues to evolve, and (we hope) order emerges from the chaos.

    SCOTT MAKUAKANE, Counselor at Law
    Focusing exclusively on estate planning and trust law.

    www.est8planning.com
    O‘ahu: 808-587-8227  |      maku@est8planning.com

    You have a digital estate if you send emails, participate in Facebook and other social networking sites, do online financial transactions, play internet games, or store photos and other important files in the “cloud.” What happens to your digital estate if you become incapacitated or die? There are both federal and state laws that come…

  • Keep Stock Market in Perspective

    The stock market has enjoyed an extended period of strong performance that dates back to the end of the last bear market in early 2009. While stock market performance can be measured in myriad ways, it’s the Dow Jones Industrial Average that has surpassed several 1,000-point milestones so far in 2017: The Dow first topped the 20,000 mark on Jan. 25, before passing the 21,000 level just over a month later.

    Then in early August, it broke through the 22,000 mark. As August ended, the seemingly smooth sailing market rally hit a few bumps. While no one can predict the future, market strategists and analysts suggest that we could see some additional market volatility in the months ahead.

    How do investors keep all of this in perspective while trying to manage their portfolios? Here are three points to keep in mind as you follow the stock market:

    The real value of each underlying move in the Dow index diminishes as the market rises.

    While the Dow Jones average is often used to provide a general reading on the state of the market, the index includes the 30 largest company stocks. When the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbs higher, the actual impact of each change in its price is reduced. For example, when the Dow broke through the 2,000 barrier in January 1987, it marked a notable 100 percent increase from the 1,000 level first reached nearly 15 years earlier. By contrast, when the Dow moved 1,000 points to reach 22,000 between March and August of this year, it represented just a 4.5 percent increase.

    The same perspective applies to day-to-day market moves. The stock market makes headlines when the Dow Jones average moves up or down 100 points in a day. Twenty years ago, when the Dow stood at about 8,000, a 100-point move in the market represented a 1.25 percent change in value. Today, a 100-point move is equivalent to less than a half-percent change. In short, 100 points in the Dow Jones Industrial Average doesn’t mean what it used to.

    Markets can retreat from record levels.

    Just as stock markets can rise, history shows they can fall as well. In the spring of 1999, the index reached the 11,000 mark. It moved higher for a few more months before a severe bear market occurred. The Dow dropped to 7,286 in 2002 before returning to the 11,000 level in 2006. Similarly, the market topped 14,000 in 2007 just before the start of another severe bear market. It fell and did not reach that level again until early 2013.

    No one can guarantee what will happen to stocks over the next week, month or year. Stock markets are unpredictable in the short-term, as fluctuations are part of the market’s behavior over time. Price swings are a reality for stock investors, but over time, stocks historically have recovered.

    Indexes may not represent your portfolio.

    While indexes often generate headlines, their performance may not be reflective of your own portfolio. Emotions run high when there are market swings, but don’t let fear get the best of you. Stock market swings can act as a reminder to review your financial position, making sure that your asset mix matches your long-term goals. The most important factors of your investment success are your goals, the time you have to invest, your risk tolerance and your commitment to save.

    Reacting to the stock market or speculation about events that may happen in the future might make for interesting dinner conversation, but remember that it’s not a proven investing strategy.

    If you need financial planning help, consider working with a financial advisor you trust.

    MICHAEL W. K. YEE, CFP
    1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1100, Honolulu HI 96814

    808-952-1222, ext. 1240  |  michael.w.yee@ampf.com

    Michael W. K. Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CLTC, is a Financial Advisor, Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 30 years.

    Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser.

    Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.

    ©2017 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. File #1875690

    The stock market has enjoyed an extended period of strong performance that dates back to the end of the last bear market in early 2009. While stock market performance can be measured in myriad ways, it’s the Dow Jones Industrial Average that has surpassed several 1,000-point milestones so far in 2017: The Dow first topped…

  • You’ve Got Mail: New Medicare Cards

    New Medicare cards will be issued and mailed to beneficiaries between April 2018 and April 2019. In an attempt to protect your identity, the new cards will have a unique number for you instead of your Social Security number, or the number of someone through which you receive Medicare benefits.

    When you receive your card, you have one simple step to complete: Open your mail when it arrives!

    You do not need to take any other action to get your new card. Since you are aware that a new Medicare card will be sent to you, it is a good idea to contact Medicare and verify they have your correct address or request an update.

    There is no charge for the new card, and your current coverage or benefits are not impacted by the change. However, Medicare officials are warning Medicare beneficiaries about possible scam artists, posing as Medicare representatives. These individuals may ask you to confirm information, tell you there is a charge for the card or falsely state that your Medicare benefits will be cancelled if you do not give them your information.

    Medicare officials advise that if someone calls you and asks for your Medicare number or other personal information, hang up and report the suspicious call to 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227).

    Medicare telephone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also contact Medicare for guidance on getting replacement cards and making address changes.

    MEDICARE MOMENT WITH MARTHA
    A radio program with Martha Khlopin

    KHNR-690AM:
    Saturdays, noon to 12:30 pm
    Sundays, 9:30 am to 10 am

    808-230-3379 | getmartha@aol.com

    New Medicare cards will be issued and mailed to beneficiaries between April 2018 and April 2019. In an attempt to protect your identity, the new cards will have a unique number for you instead of your Social Security number, or the number of someone through which you receive Medicare benefits. When you receive your card,…

  • Sign Language Videos and Email Scams

    Q

    I heard there is a Social Security video available in American Sign Language. Where can I find it?

    A

    Yes, it’s true. The video is called “Social Security, SSI and Medicare: What You Need to Know About These Vital Programs.” The video is available in American Sign Language and presents important information about our programs. You can watch the video now at www.socialsecurity.gov/multimedia/video/asl. The video is a part of our larger collection of on-demand videos and webinars available at www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars and at www.YouTube.com.

    Q

    I got an email that says it’s from Social Security, but I’m not so sure. They want me to reply with my Social Security number, date of birth, and mother’s maiden name for “verification.” Did it really come from Social Security?

    A

    No. Social Security will not send you an email asking you to share your personal information, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, or other private information. Beware of such scams­ — they’re after your information so they can use it for their own benefit. When in doubt, or if you have any questions about correspondence you receive from Social Security, contact your local Social Security office or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to see whether we really need any information from you.

    For questions, online applications or to make an appointment to visit a SSA office, call from 7am–5pm, Mon–Fri:

    1-800-772-1213 (toll free)  |  1-800-325-0778 (TTY)
    www.socialsecurity.gov

    Q I heard there is a Social Security video available in American Sign Language. Where can I find it? A Yes, it’s true. The video is called “Social Security, SSI and Medicare: What You Need to Know About These Vital Programs.” The video is available in American Sign Language and presents important information about our…

  • WARNING: ‘Aging in Place’ Homes

    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 know, however, is that if they choose to live in what is called an “aging in place” facility, residents are very much on their own. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program does not have access to these facilities, and their “renters” are not protected by federal or state regulations that govern licensed settings.

    There is some debate as to whether or not these homes are actually “unlicensed” care homes taking advantage of loopholes in the current law. But there is no debate that AIG Homes have:

    • No annual inspection by the Department of Health.
    • No public posting of the inspection by the
      Department of Health.
    • No TB clearance requirements for the caregivers or staff.
    • No building or fire code requirements or plans regarding emergency evacuations.
    • No access to the Ombudsman or consumer protection.

    Since these homes are not licensed, and don’t want to be licensed, another significant concern is this: Why would a social worker, case manager, doctor, nurse or other professional make such a recommendation? Do they bear some liability if the person is abused, mistreated or neglected?  Would healthcare providers, such as Kaiser or HMSA, place a patient in an unregulated, unmonitored home?The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has already received complaints about loved ones being denied access. A man called complaining that his relative was in an “aging in place” home, and every time he visited, she would have new, mysterious bruises. He complained to the caregiver, but to no avail. Then he noticed the caregiver started covering up the bruises in various ways to hide them. He took pictures and sent them to the person with the placement responsibility over his relative who, unfortunately, didn’t live in Hawaii. That person forwarded the pictures to the caregiver, and she immediately banned the man from visiting. He called our Office to request help, as he is the only relative on the island and hasn’t been allowed to visit since April.

    He wanted to know if I could do anything to lift the ban. Sadly no. Our Office can’t do anything because the home is unlicensed. Representatives from our Office could be arrested for trespassing on private property.

    Most of us believe if you are taking care of someone in your home for a fee — and that person is not related to you — then you need to be licensed by the state, so we can try to ensure your safety. Licensed facilities are regulated by laws, which allow the state to do what is necessary to ensure the safety and security of our residents through compliance with building and safety codes, health inspections, emergency plans, care plans, medication management, and training and experience for caregivers.

    The “aging in place” model is not licensed and doesn’t allow for these safeguards. Until they do, they should be shut down.

    DO YOU HAVE COMPLAINTS AND QUESTIONS?

    Please call John G. McDermott, the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, at 808-586-7268 or refer to the Department of Health’s website at www.health.hawaii.gov/ohca/state-licensing-section/.

    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 know, however, is that if they choose to live in what…

  • The Many Facets of Dementia

    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 dementia, alcohol-related dementia, frontal-temporal dementia, Parkinson’s-related dementia, and so on.

    Dementia is ultimately brain failure. Like other organ failures, you can expect the brain to gradually regress over time, and some diseases progress faster than others. This gradual decline of cognitive function is the main culprit behind the many, and sometimes violent, behavioral changes that accompany this disease.

    Teepa Snow (www.teepasnow.com), one of my mentors, has transformed the way we think about dementia with her Positive Approach® to Care philosophy. As a registered occupational therapist with over 30 years of hands-on experience, Teepa has reinvented the varying stages of dementia by introducing her GEMS® model (Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Amber, Ruby and Pearl). Each GEMS state reflects a different stage of dementia with an emphasis on what the person is still able to do rather than what cognitive functions are lost. Nevertheless, as a person living with dementia goes through the GEMS cycle, behaviors remain problematic.

    Dementia attacks the left side of the brain more aggressively than the right. The left hemisphere is where we hold language capabilities — comprehension, vocabulary and speech production. When we have limited language skills, we unconsciously rely on behaviors to communicate.

    Author Mapuana Taamu with her mentor Teepa Snow, founder of the Positive Approach® to Care philosophy.
    Author Mapuana Taamu with her mentor Teepa Snow, founder of the Positive Approach® to Care philosophy.

    Think about 3-year-olds. Do they tell you that they are tired and need a nap, or do they kick, scream and throw a tantrum? This is how people living with dementia communicate. With diminished language skills, they have difficulty verbalizing what they want or need, so they end up showing you through their behaviors.

    It takes a lot of detective work to understand these behaviors! Ultimately, it is the duty of their caregiver to adjust and adapt to the ever-changing brain. To give care successfully requires lots of patience paired with trials and numerous errors. But as time goes by, the “uh-oh’s” will eventually turn into “ah-ha’s!”

    Mapuana Taamu is a professional, family caregiver specializing in dementia. She owns and operates Memory Friends, a companionship, respite and consultation service for seniors. She also is a “Certified Positive Approach® to Care” Trainer. Reach her at:  808-469-5330  |  mfriends808@gmail.com

    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 dementia, alcohol-related dementia, frontal-temporal dementia, Parkinson’s-related dementia, and so on. Dementia is…

  • Coping with Holiday Sibling Strife

    Seek help when caring for aging parents, especially during the busy holiday season.
    Seek help when caring for aging parents, especially during the busy holiday season.

    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 aging in place. But when adult siblings are involved, they also can have their differences on parents’ needs. Left unchecked, these differences can bring out the best and worst in family relationships – especially during the holidays.

    The demands of caregiving can challenge sibling rivalries and shift the focus away from parent care. When this happens, family members sometimes find themselves arguing over past wounds. Siblings not on good speaking terms may dwell on negative pasts.

    “The holidays can bring back all of the pecking-order stuff that siblings thought they could forget,” says Wika Puuohau, RN, Client Service Supervisor at Attention Plus Care. “It can return adults back to small-kid time.”

    A sibling who is less active with caregiving also may seem distant and react with more anger or blame toward other siblings. Sometimes, this is an attempt to avoid facing the eventual passing and loss of a terminally ill parent. On the other hand, a more involved sibling may react differently and express more sadness or grief. When caregiving duties for a parent begin, one sibling also may take over as the primary caregiver and cause disagreements among siblings about who is in charge. The more involved, active caregiver is now at risk for burnout, while the other sibling takes a backseat to watch the show. “That’s when I put my coaching hat on,” Puuohau adds.

    These situations can add to the stress and resentment siblings already may have for one another, brought on by the holidays, interfering with the priorities of caring for parents. Siblings not talking with one another, or not wanting to keep others informed about their parents’ condition, also can hinder important information from getting to a healthcare provider. So how can family members and siblings work together to care for parents? Here are tips for siblings during the holidays:

    ♥ Make time for sibling communications.

    ♥ Share realistic expectations and goals.

    ♥ Keep lines of communication open.

    ♥ Seek to understand first instead of blame.

    ♥ Get input from those affected by decisions.

    ♥ Accept family as they are and not as you wish.

    ♥ Seek common ground during calmer times.

    ♥ Use an objective party to facilitate disputes.

    ♥ Be thankful and share gratitude with others.

    Adult siblings caring for parents can make the most of their time and efforts together. With preparation, the holidays can be a time for new traditions and positive experiences for siblings. It also can be a chance for rivals to be on better terms with one another for years to come. Now that’s a gift our parents really want!

    ATTENTION PLUS CARE HOME HEALTHCARE
    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 by Attention Plus Care — a program providing resources for seniors and their families, covering different aging topics each month. For class information and upcoming topics, call 808-440-9356.

    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 aging in place. But when adult siblings are involved, they…

  • Prevent Rat Lungworm Disease

    In late September, an infant from Hawai’i Island was confirmed as the state’s 17th case of rat lungworm disease. Caused by a roundworm parasite, it can have debilitating effects on a person’s brain and spinal cord. The disease is endemic to the state and spreads when rodents pass larvae of the worm in their feces, which then is eaten by snails and slugs.

    Rat lungworm disease cannot be spread from person-to-person. Humans become infected by accidentally consuming snails or slugs, sometimes hidden on unwashed produce. People also can get the disease from eating under-cooked snails, freshwater prawns, crabs and frogs.

    The Puna toddler was infected likely after accidentally consuming a slug or snail. The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is reminding parents, grandparents and caregivers to closely supervise young children, making sure they are not ingesting slugs, snails or other objects from the ground.

    “As caregivers, we have to watch what children might be sucking and chewing on, and help them properly wash their hands using soap and clean water after playing, whether indoors or outdoors,” says Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler.

    Many kūpuna enjoy spending time in their backyards and gardens. To reduce the risk of rat lungworm disease, everyone is encouraged to eliminate slugs, snails and rats in their home gardens and around their properties.

    Important safety tips include:

    • Carefully wash produce un-der potable running water, especially leafy greens, to remove any tiny slugs or snails.
    • Cook food thoroughly by boiling for 3 to 5 minutes or heating to 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds.
    • Cover water catchment tanks and containers.
    • Place a nozzle on watering hoses and keep off the ground to prevent slugs and snails from entering.
    After playing, help grandchildren wash their hands with soap and clean water.
    After playing, help grandchildren wash their hands with soap and clean water.
    Always wash produce thoroughly under potable running water before consuming. Pay careful attention to leafy greens.
    Always wash produce thoroughly under potable running water before consuming. Pay careful attention to leafy greens.

    SYMPTOMS:

    See your doctor if you have severe headache, neck stiffness, fever, tingling or pain in the skin or extremities.

    HAWAI‘I STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
    Disease Investigation Branch

    808-586-8362  |  Info Line 808-586-4400
    www.health.hawaii.gov

     

    In late September, an infant from Hawai’i Island was confirmed as the state’s 17th case of rat lungworm disease. Caused by a roundworm parasite, it can have debilitating effects on a person’s brain and spinal cord. The disease is endemic to the state and spreads when rodents pass larvae of the worm in their feces,…

  • Seeing and Feeling is Believing

    In my previous articles in Generations Magazine, I’ve had the chance to share the wonder, power and fact that “the right kind of water” is key to maintaining an optimum health profile. Here is a review of the past articles, which can be found in articles published on this website.

    February 2016
    “Water Does Matter”

    Not all waters are created equal. Ionized water is best for the body, according to this article that addresses common misconceptions about water.

    April 2016
    “Why Drink More Water?”

    I discuss the importance of drinking enough water daily, how the body loses water, how much water is lost on a daily basis and the devastating and life-altering effects of dehydration.

    June 2016
    “Inflammation and Aging: Fluid Problems”

    This article identifies the relationship between aging chronic diseases and inflammation, which is the root cause of “old age” aches and pains, fatigue and aging skin. Dr. Hiromi Shinya, the father of modern colonoscopy and a world-renowned author and gastrointestinal specialist, recommends drinking a special, ionized alkaline water.

    August 2016
    “Doctors Say So”

    I quoted and took excerpts from articles featuring five medical professionals, including doctors, patent holders, researchers and authors. All stress the importance
    of drinking ionized alkaline water.

    October 2016
    “What I Learned From
    Dr. McCauley”

    This article features Dr. Bob McCauley, a naturopathic doctor, master herbalist and certified nutritional consultant, and his views on ionized alkaline water.

    December 2016
    “You Are What You Drink”

    The high level of interest I received from a past article “Doctors Say So” led me to write another piece highlighting four other medical professionals and their views on ionized alkaline water.

    The professed power and health benefits of ionized alkaline water can be difficult for many people to understand or believe.

    But seeing and feeling is believing.

    In terms of life span, ionized water is very sensitive. The most important property of ionized water is its “negative electrical charge,” also known as its antioxidant property. Once ionized water is produced, the negative electrical charge in the ionized water turns positive within 24 to 48 hours.

    For someone to truly experience the maximum benefits of the ionized water, one needs to drink the water as fresh as possible.

    Enagic USA INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR

    Alan Matsushima
    808-384-7354  |  trader_808@yahoo.com

    Woody Kobayashi
    808-223-2613  |  woody18k@msn.com

    In my previous articles in Generations Magazine, I’ve had the chance to share the wonder, power and fact that “the right kind of water” is key to maintaining an optimum health profile. Here is a review of the past articles, which can be found in articles published on this website. February 2016 “Water Does Matter”…

  • Stretch Away Your Stress

    Adults of all generations, from millennials to baby boomers and “maturers,” struggle with managing stress. Life can often be chaotic. When we are stressed, the body releases hormones adrenaline and cortisol. This increases heart rate and blood pressure, and interferes with sleep, which is vital for body repair, restoration and emotional balance.

    When severely stressed, tension usually is held in the shoulders, head and neck. Tension restricts blood flow, which leads to tightness in muscles. If not treated, the muscles will shorten over time, causing headaches and pain.

    The good news is that there are simple techniques to help reduce stress. According to the Mayo Clinic, stretching increases blood flow to the muscles and aids in circulation, allowing muscles to relax. Stretching also promotes circulation of new blood to the brain, resulting in mood elevation. Deep breathing while stretching increases oxygen consumption, slows heart rate and lowers blood pressure, which incites relaxation of the body.

    So, take time out of your busy schedule to listen to your body. The more you stretch, the better you will feel overall.

    • Stand on a towel and hold it taut with one hand.
    • Grasp your head and gently pull to one side.
    • Use the towel to hold the shoulder down and rotate the arm out, opening the chest area. This provides a deeper stretch in the neck, chest and shoulder.
    • Breathe deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth. Hold for 30 seconds and then switch.

    Moon Physical Therapy, LLC
    320 Ward Ave., Ste. 107, Honolulu HI 96814

    Aquatic, Land-based and Manual Therapy and Cardiopulmonary Rehab Programs

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    Adults of all generations, from millennials to baby boomers and “maturers,” struggle with managing stress. Life can often be chaotic. When we are stressed, the body releases hormones adrenaline and cortisol. This increases heart rate and blood pressure, and interferes with sleep, which is vital for body repair, restoration and emotional balance. When severely stressed,…