You hear it all the time: To stay healthy, we need to stay active. Yet as we get older, it can be difficult to find the energy and motivation to get out and exercise.
Makua Ali‘i, O‘ahu’s premier senior softball league, provides mature athletes an opportunity to stay active and social. The “slow-pitch” softball league is the perfect activity for those who miss the camaraderie and competition of their little league days.
The league is comprised of 18 teams and is open to players aged 60 and over. Each week, games are held at the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park (CORP) in Waipio. Game results published most Thursdays in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. There is also a league exclusively for those 70 and over that plays on Friday mornings at Ala Wai Community Park. Even for those who are no longer able to participate in team sports, attending and watching the games is a great motivator to get out of the house and meet those who share interests and passions. After the game is the perfect time to talk story!
Francis Lum, an 80-year-old member of Waipio Makules, has been playing with the league since 1997 — 20 years and counting! Even after kneereplacement surgery, he’s still going strong and coming out each week.
“I play Monday, Wednesday, Friday, then I come out practice Tuesday,” said Francis, “so that’s four days a week.”
It’s an exciting sport comprised of amazing people and a refreshing sense of community. Hearing everyone laughing, shouting encouragement and cracking jokes would make anyone passing by want
to join in the fun!
New players join the teams each season. When asked how experienced the newcomers usually are, Francis said, “It’s always different. Some people like myself — I came in and I didn’t have any experience.” For these players, it’s all about being with friends and having a good time. Of course, everyone gets older each year, so it’s good to see new faces. Francis’ advice to any one of the newbies planning on joining is “make sure you stretch good before you play. That’s the main thing.”
Sports aren’t only for the young guys. Knowledge and experience are just as important as raw strength and speed, and many of these players have more than just a few years of softball under their belts. The true test of their abilities comes during the state tournament held every year, when participating teams from O‘ahu and the outer islands compete for the championship in one of eight divisions.
Makua Ali‘i is the perfect opportunity for seniors to get much-needed fresh air and exercise in a social setting, while engaging in some fun and friendly competition.
Contact the Makua Ali‘i league to find out more about how you can join and play ball!
O‘AHU SENIOR SOFTBALL
808-637-5993 | www.oahuseniorsoftball.org
According Harvard Medical School, the need for dentures in later life used to be a foregone conclusion. But today, three-quarters of the over-65 population retain at least some of their teeth. Although older people still suffer higher rates of gum disease, dental decay and tooth loss, they can still do a lot to keep their mouth looking and feeling younger than its years.
3. Dentures, of which there are generally two types: A partial denture will replace some missing teeth, supported by remaining teeth. A complete or full denture is used when the teeth on one arch or both arches are missing.
What can seniors do to retain healthy teeth?
A water flosser, such as a Waterpik, is also a great device that seniors can use if the task becomes too difficult.
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“For many people, kidney damage may be temporary and occur quickly due to changes in kidney function from illness, injury or taking medications,” said Marissa Ramos, a Honolulu home healthcare nurse. “If not treated properly, kidney damage can become a chronic condition, often without one knowing — especially if it is related to other underlying conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Regular health screenings and tests are key in detecting risks for kidney disease. We see and often care for clients with multiple health issues, such as diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure or congestive heart failure. We focus on early detection, education and proper care, which can slow the progression of kidney disease and help avoid kidney failure.”
I’ve noticed that many people approach estate planning from the outside in, rather from the insideout. For example, many people want to “avoid probate” or “minimize tax” as a primary goal — good goals, for sure. If we stop there, we miss the opportunity to explore the deeper meaning underlying these goals, such as ensuring that we provide our loved ones as much as we can with assets to supplement their lives, and provide each of them the opportunity to grow, and develop and enjoy the most meaningful life possible.
A trustee is what the law calls a fiduciary. A fiduciary is a person who is responsible for taking care of something that belongs to someone else. Under the law, fiduciaries owe legally enforceable duties to the beneficiaries — the people or charities on whose behalf they handle assets.
When it comes to legal matters, there’s a whole set of terminology that may leave your head spinning. Picking apart the legalese may prove such a daunting task that we may even put off tending to important matters, which can be risky.