Category: Articles

  • Caring for Ku¯puna with Chronic Disease

    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, disability, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obesity. In addition, kidney disease can lead to loss of kidney function and become a chronic disease, which is on the rise in America.

    Chronic kidney disease (CKD), is a condition that causes a gradual loss of kidney function over time. The loss of kidney function can also cause wastes and fluids to build up in the body, and lead to other health issues. People with untreated kidney disease have higher risks for developing complications like anemia, bone disease, heart disease, high potassium and other fluid buildup.

    “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.”

    Licensed home healthcare is becoming increasingly more important for seniors needing medical services for CKD. Home healthcare agencies accredited by The Joint Commission that adhere to high standards of care can provide a clinical team that supports medical services treating CKD in the home. Home healthcare nurses and caregivers can work one-on-one with clients to better manage their medical care, medications, renal dialysis and nutritional decisions, and monitor for any healthrelated changes before they become problematic.

    Experienced and accredited home healthcare agencies are able to deliver high-quality care and offer critical assessments for seniors diagnosed with multiple diseases and CKD.

    “We work closely with family members — usually adult children taking on the role of primary caregiver for their loved ones living with chronic diseases,” said Janet Grace, a home healthcare sales and marketing director. “Our clinical teams develop a personalized, safe and cost-effective care plan that goes a long way in reducing risks for complications and emergency room visits. With CKD, skilled nurses focus on providing ongoing education for families regarding kidneyfriendly best practices and preventative steps to slow the progression of the disease. Working closely with our seniors and healthcare professionals is critical to evidencing better treatment outcomes and a higher quality of life for those living with chronic kidney disease.”

     

    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
    by Attention Plus Care – a program to provide resources for
    seniors and their families, instructed by a registered nurse,
    who covers a different aging process each month.
    For class information on kidney disease and upcoming
    topics, call 808-440-9356.

    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, disability, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obesity. In addition, kidney disease can lead to loss…

  • A Lesson in Patience and Gratitude

    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. She had always been a source of inspiration and strength for me as I saw her and my father work six days a week, 14 to 16 hours a day for over 25 years.

    And so it was with great heartache and sadness that my mother began to demonstrate symptoms of dementia at age 97. She had become paranoid, despondent and forgetful, and had lost interest in the activities and routines of the day that were once of great importance to her. Her spirit was waning. Our pillar of strength was weakening.

    Tokiko Suda (center) with sons Barry and Brian.
    I, my wife, Pamela, and my siblings were well aware of the indicators that manifested in people with dementia. My father had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease approximately 20 years prior and my mother had very similar symptoms.

    As the dementia advanced, my mother needed more assistance with eating, bathing, getting dressed, going to the bathroom and other daily living activities. What were once basic, everyday tasks became an undertaking that required a significant amount of time, strength and stamina from both my mother and me.

    Just as important as providing help with these daily tasks is the ability to be patient and compassionate with those suffering from dementia. I think most people, like myself, have some level of compassion and sympathy for their ailing loved ones. But it was patience that I had lacked…

    Due to my mother’s advanced age, osteoporosis and dementia, she wasn’t able to do simple daily living activities as quickly and efficiently as she was once able to. I was aware of what she was and wasn’t capable of doing for herself, but there were times when it would slip my mind and I would become impatient with her. I would raise my voice and ask her to hurry when she had to be dropped off at the adult day health program that she attended.

    But even with my impatience and frustration apparent in my tone, my mother never expressed dissatisfaction with my behavior. She would always say that she was thankful for what her family was doing for her and acknowledged that she was very fortunate. She would then laugh at her inability to do some things that were once second nature to her.

    My mother’s gratitude and sense of humor during these trying moments showed me that she was managing her situation the best way possible. I would come to understand that she had been demonstrating her patience with my shortcomings by quietly reminding me that she was thankful and appreciated each day with us.

    Her great attitude gave me the ability to be a little more patient with all matters and served as a reminder of how humor is good for your well being. We will all get older one day and we may not be as independent as we once were. When that time comes, I will strive to remember to appreciate the patience of others.

    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. She had always been a source of inspiration and…

  • Estate Planning From the Inside Out

    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.

    Take the family home, for example. Often, people want to make sure that their children “get the house equally.” Without exploring underlying values and prioritizing concerns, we may not get to the deeper meaning such as: that they love their children equally; that they want to ensure that each of their children has a place to live; and that they want their children to get along and support each other. In prioritizing these concerns, they find that their children getting along with each other is the most important hope or goal of all.

    Understanding this, the attorney can add provisions to ensure that the children don’t fight over the family home.

    When we take the time to explore our values with the guidance of a skilled estate planner, we can mirror and reflect our deepest values, and can gain true peace of mind to know that our intentions will be clearly spoken — when we can no longer speak.

     

    STEPHEN B. YIM, ATTORNEY AT LAW
    2054 S. Beretania St., Honolulu HI 96826
    808-524-0251 | stephenyimestateplanning.com

    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…

  • My Elder Abuse Teacher

    It wasn’t the mainland trainings or the thousands of cases I have handled that have given me the greatest insights into elder abuse. No. The best “teacher” I have had regarding dealing with the complexity and emotional stress of dealing with these crimes has been through helping my mother-in-law over the years. “Mary” (not her real name because my wife would be upset if I used it) is a sweet, trusting lady who seems to have a bright neon target on her forehead inviting scam artists to try and take advantage of her. After each encounter or near miss with a fraudster, I gained a deeper understanding of elder abuse.

    One lesson my mother-in-law taught me was to beware of “friendly strangers.” There have been multiple instances of strangers approaching Mary inside a big-box store, following her out to her car, trying to engage her in small talk and asking if they could help her. Fortunately, Mary can’t tolerate dialogue that is not related to stopping land development or fluoridation of our drinking water. Her impatience to inane small talk and her stubbornness in accepting help from anyone has saved her and our family untold hardships by closing the door on potential encounters that could have developed into exploitation. If more seniors turned off the aloha (sometimes, being downright rude) to suspiciously friendly strangers, the many crimes I have prosecuted would never have happened.

    The scam artists who have successfully taken advantage of my mother-in-law, however, have not been strangers who have approached her, but swindlers she unknowingly invited into her life.

    Upon retiring from her job, Mary wanted to use her time to help family and friends. Unfortunately, this was around the same time people were talking about Y2K — the year was going to change from 1999 to 2000. Some thought the event was going to send civilization back into the Stone Age.

    Mary met people who were “planning” for this much-talked-about apocalypse and were concerned enough about her to sell her end-of-theworld- proof supplies and advise her to cash in annuities and sell stocks. With the anxiety many people felt about this event supported by media hype, cons flourished. Countless people like Mary who were concerned about the safety and wellbeing of their loved-ones spent a lot of money preparing for a calamity that never happened.

    What this taught me early on was that there are people who will use existing fears or create uneasiness themselves in order to cause people to make emotional decisions with their money. Similar to going into a car lot without doing research on the make and model you want, you allow the salesman the ability to ply you with emotional imagery of you behind a wheel of a vehicle not necessarily suited to your needs or budget. Spending money based on emotion rarely turn out well.

    In the next issue, I will review my mother-inlaw’s encounters with a convicted felon, a disbarred lawyer and a group being watched by none other than the FBI.

     

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

    It wasn’t the mainland trainings or the thousands of cases I have handled that have given me the greatest insights into elder abuse. No. The best “teacher” I have had regarding dealing with the complexity and emotional stress of dealing with these crimes has been through helping my mother-in-law over the years. “Mary” (not her…

  • What Does It Mean to Be a Trustee?

    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.

    A trust is a legal relationship that results when a person (often called a trustmaker, a settlor or a grantor) makes an agreement with a trustee to handle assets for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. The agreement is normally set out in a written document — the trust instrument or the trust agreement. The first and foremost duty of any trustee is to read, understand and faithfully follow the exact terms of the trust instrument.

    Once the trust agreement is made, the trustmaker transfers property to the trustee. The trustee actually becomes the legal owner of the property. However, the “real” owners of the property are the beneficiaries, who are said to be the equitable or beneficial owners; they are the ones who are supposed to benefit from the property.

    A trust can have more than one trustee at a time. Each co-trustee must decide for himself or herself how best to carry out his or her fiduciary duties. Beware that a co-trustee can be held responsible for another co-trustee’s breach of a fiduciary duty. Thus, it is important that all cotrustees pay close attention to everything that is done in the administration of the trust. Any question or problem should be communicated to the other co-trustee or co-trustees immediately. Generally, when there are two co-trustees, both must agree on all matters of trust administration. When there are three or more co-trustees, the majority rules.

    In order to minimize the chances of being held responsible for someone else’s poor judgment or breach of duty, a cotrustee should be sure to make a written record of any points of disagreement about trust business. In extreme cases, a co-trustee may be required to blow the whistle on other co-trustees’ activities.

    If you ever have questions about what to do as trustee, you should seek appropriate advice immediately. You should not hesitate to consult your lawyer, your CPA or other advisors.

    The fact that you have been named as a successor trustee in someone’s trust instrument does not obligate you to accept that position. You must consider your decision to accept the job of trustee very carefully.

    Once you accept the position, you accept all that goes with it. It is a position of great honor that involves great responsibility.

     

    SCOTT MAKUAKANE, Counselor at Law
    Focusing exclusively on estate planning and trust law.
    www.est8planning.com
    O‘ahu: 808-587-8227 | maku@est8planning.com

    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. A trust is a legal relationship…

  • New Service Provides Free Legal Assistance

    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.

    With so many details to take into consideration, it’s only natural to have questions. When it comes to Medicare, social security and veterans’ benefits; resident and patient rights; or income, estate and gift taxes; consultation with a qualified attorney, particularly an elder law specialist, may be advisable or even necessary.

    The legal guidance that an attorney can provide helps ensure that you get the most out of your benefits and that your financial affairs continue to go smoothly in future years.

    However, this type of legal advice can be expensive. The cost of the answers may exceed what you can realistically cover.

    Accommodating for Free Legal Help

    In cases like these, it’s important to know that relief is in sight. The Hawaii Online Pro Bono (HOP) is a nonprofit, web-based legal service hosted by the American Bar Association. HOP is an online version of a walk-in legal advice clinic where clients request advice and counsel about a specific legal issue from a volunteer attorney. The service is available to low- to moderate- income families and can be accessed by searching for “Hawaii Online Pro Bono” via web browser.

    You must first answer a few questions that will determine whether or not you qualify: You must be an adult whose income and assets are low for your family size, you can’t already have access to a lawyer, your legal problem cannot be related to a criminal charge and you must not currently be incarcerated.

    If you qualify, you can ask your legal question confidentially through the site. A volunteer attorney will email a response directly to you.

    HOP helps to make legal advice more accessible, but before using this service, it is important to be aware of its limitations. They are laid out in detail in the online user agreement you must read before answering the first qualification question.

    The main limitation — you can ask only three separate questions within a calendar year.

    Questions involving criminal cases or charges cannot be answered through this service.

    The service is meant only to provide answers to your legal questions; the volunteer lawyers cannot call or represent you in any way.

    If further legal action is required for your situation, you will need to pursue your own attorney; however, the website includes a link that leads to contact information for other resources, including the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii and the American Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service for Hawaii.

     


    www.hawaii.freelegalanswers.org

    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. With so many details to take into consideration, it’s only natural to have…

  • Creating a Charitable Giving Strategy

    It’s not too late to align your spending with your priorities. If charitable giving is an important part of your budget, take a step back and reevaluate your giving strategy.

    There are a myriad of causes and organizations you can support, which can leave even the bestintentioned philanthropist confused, frustrated and overwhelmed.

    The following steps can help ensure that your money is being used effectively and efficiently by the organizations you choose to support.

    STEP 1: Clarify your values and preferences.

    Before you reach for your checkbook, ask yourself a few questions. What causes are important to you? Is there a particular demographic or group of people you would like to support? Would you prefer to give to a local, regional, national or global organization? As a donor, what do you hope to see in the organization’s leadership or structure?

    The answers to these questions can help you make a list of charities that will allow you to align your financial resources with your personal values, making your donation even more meaningful.

    STEP 2: Consider each organization’s mission.

    Once you have determined which organizations meet your criteria, research each charity to make sure their programs, mission and goals match your expectations.

    Consider meeting with an executive or local leader to hear about the charity’s strategy and its impact on the community first-hand. During the meeting, ask about the organization’s short- and long-term goals, as well as how it measures success. You want to be sure that the charity is making progress toward achieving its goals.

    STEP 3: Investigate each charitable organization’s financial health.

    Look into how each donation is used and what percentage of the money goes directly to the cause. Fundraising and administrative expenses help the charity do its work; however, you should be cautious about organizations with higher overhead costs. Ask the charity for a copy of its most recent annual report and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990. These forms outline the charity’s budget allocation and financial plans, and can provide you with insight into how your money is used to make the intended impact.

    If you’d like an objective perspective on a charity’s financial health, fundraising practices, day-to-day efficiency and accountability standards, look at how watchdog groups evaluate the organization.

    BBB Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org), GuideStar (www.guidestar.org) and Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) are several national groups that offer unbiased evaluations.

    STEP 4: Make giving part of your plan.

    As you figure out your donation strategy, consider meeting with a financial planner or tax advisor who can help you select the most appropriate donation method for your financial situation. These professionals can also work with you to create a strategy for ongoing contributions or to make giving part of your legacy.

    Keep in mind that there may be legal or tax considerations, depending on the amount and form of your donation (i.e., check, investment donation, etc.).

    By taking the time to thoroughly evaluate charitable organizations, you’ll give yourself the peace of mind that your money is being used wisely, effectively and for the purposes you intended.

     

    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, CRPC®, is a Financial Advisor,
    Certified Financial Planner ™ practitioner with Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. in
    Honolulu, Hawai‘i, with Na Ho’okele Financial Advisory Team, a financial advisory
    practice of Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. He offers fee-based financial planning
    and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 29 years.

    Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax advice. Consult your tax
    adviser regarding your specific situation.
    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 #1675019

    It’s not too late to align your spending with your priorities. If charitable giving is an important part of your budget, take a step back and reevaluate your giving strategy. There are a myriad of causes and organizations you can support, which can leave even the bestintentioned philanthropist confused, frustrated and overwhelmed. The following steps…

  • SSA Kidney Disease Benefits

    The Social Security Administration (SSA) helps spread the word about the importance of kidney health and what you should do if you think you or a loved one has a kidney-related disability.

    Kidney disease prevents kidneys from cleansing your blood to their full potential. Did you know that one out of three Americans is currently at high risk for developing kidney disease? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and most of them don’t even know it.

    Ebie is a prime example. Ebie was an emergency room worker with an active life at work, home and in his community. He had no idea he’d developed a kidney condition until one day he felt ill while driving to work and had to call a coworker for help.

    SSA’s “Faces and Facts of Disability” website features Ebie’s story. He says people who receive Social Security (SS) disability benefits “can provide for themselves better and have a high quality of life.” As Ebie explained, many people with kidney diseases can greatly improve their lives with SS benefits. Learn more about Ebie’s story at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityfacts.

    If a kidney disease, such as end-stage renal disease (known as ESRD), requires chronic dialysis and prevents you from working, the SSA may be able to help. If you’re undergoing dialysis, have had a kidney transplant, have persistent low creatinine clearance levels or have persistent high serum creatinine levels, you may qualify for disability and/or Medicare benefits. You can find more information about eligibility based on kidney disease and the benefits available to you by reading SSA’s “Disability Benefits” and “Medicare” publications at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

    Listed as one of SSA’s Compassionate Allowance conditions, kidney cancer is another disease that may qualify you for disability and Medicare benefits. The program assists those with severe medical conditions that meet SSA’s disability standards, allowing quick application processing and benefit payment. You can find more information about the Compassionate Allowance program by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

    Drink plenty of water, go for checkups and if you think you may have a kidney disease, take action right away! As Ebie says, “quality of life is everything.”

     

    For questions, online applications or to make an appointment to visit a SSA
    office, call from 7am–7pm, Mon–Fri:
    1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)
    www.socialsecurity.gov

    The Social Security Administration (SSA) helps spread the word about the importance of kidney health and what you should do if you think you or a loved one has a kidney-related disability. Kidney disease prevents kidneys from cleansing your blood to their full potential. Did you know that one out of three Americans is currently…

  • Staying in the Know

    In your younger years, you may have been active in community affairs. But now you don’t get out so much. Maybe your caregiving duties keep you at home more. The good news is, you can still be involved in community affairs from the comfort of your own computer.

    In the first few months of 2017 alone, much has happened in the political arena. People who avoided politics before may now be keeping an eye out for changes being made or proposed that are hit close to home. Regardless of political stance, no one wants to be caught off guard.

    Some of the legislation being debated is very relevant to senior citizen communities. One of the biggest issues is healthcare, which will affect affordability and availability of medical care.

    With the Meals on Wheels program and many other services expecting to see reduced budgets — or in jeaopady of being cut altogether — it’s important to keep apprised of what’s going on.

    Common Cause is a nonprofit grassroots organization founded in 1970 with over 700,000 members. On its website, you can find articles about recent legislation, advocacy campaigns and other areas of interest to you.

    Of course, Common Cause is only one source out of many. The important issue is staying informed. It’s the first step to ensuring the happiness and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones continues into the future.

     


    www.commoncause.org

    In your younger years, you may have been active in community affairs. But now you don’t get out so much. Maybe your caregiving duties keep you at home more. The good news is, you can still be involved in community affairs from the comfort of your own computer. In the first few months of 2017…

  • Resolving Conflicts Through Mediation

    The executive director at the The Mediation Center of the Pacific shared important information about the nonprofit’s Kupuna Pono program in Generations Margazine’s June/July 2016 issue.

    Every family eventually has disagreements regarding elder care and support. In short, Kupuna Pono is a program designed to help family members talk about difficult issues and develop plans to support elderly family members.

    However, the center also offers a wide range of other mediation services that may be of value to elders, and their families and caregivers.

    TYPES OF MEDIATION

    CIVIL RIGHTS MEDIATION: The center receives referrals from the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) involving various types of workplace, housing and merchant discrimination complaints. Mediation is offered by HCRC as an alternative to the traditional investigative and litigation processes.

    CONDOMINIUM MEDIATION: The center can mediate a broad range of issues arising between owners, board members, property managers, resident managers, vendors and others relating to condominium or homeowner associations.

    CUSTODY MEDIATION: The least costly, less stressful approach to reaching agreements about where children will live and how time-sharing and co-parenting will work, is through mediation.

    DIVORCE MEDIATION: At the center, impartial mediators help couples talk and negotiate agreements on all of the issues that are required to finalize their divorce.

    EMPLOYMENT MEDIATION: From co-worker disputes to disagreements between supervisors and employees, mediation offers a confidential, safe forum to discuss the issues, gain perspective and work through differences.

    LANDLORD/TENANT MEDIATION: With the assistance of a mediator, tenants and landlords can agree on payment plans, repairs and more. If the tenant is not able to keep up with the rent, mediation can help parties to agree on a move-out date, rather than going to court.

    SPECIAL EDUCATION: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) encourages parents and schools to collaborate as a united support for each student. When differences arise, mediation provides parents and schools with the opportunity to work out solutions to meet the individual needs of the student.

    No matter what type is required, mediation enables and empowers the parties involved to reach an agreement that they all can live with.

     

    THE MEDIATION CENTER OF THE PACIFIC
    245 N. Kukui Street, Ste. 206, Honolulu HI 96817
    808-521-6767 | mcp@mediatehawaii.org
    www.mediatehawaii.org

    The executive director at the The Mediation Center of the Pacific shared important information about the nonprofit’s Kupuna Pono program in Generations Margazine’s June/July 2016 issue. Every family eventually has disagreements regarding elder care and support. In short, Kupuna Pono is a program designed to help family members talk about difficult issues and develop plans…

  • ‘An Amazing Place To Be…’

    It’s 7:30 a.m. and volunteers are already preparing for a day of fun classes, club activities and good conversation. The Lanakila Multi- Purpose Senior Center (LMPSC) is the place to be for active seniors.

    LMPSC is filled with great energy, caring people, and active seniors, volunteers and staff.

    It is amazing to learn about and be with so many accomplished people, 60 years and older, who still contribute so much to the quality of life on our island home.

    Each day, there is wonderful history to learn, inspirational life stories to discover, hardships worth sharing that teach valuable life lessons, and people who truly care about Hawai‘i and continue to contribute to the character, charm, strength and diversity of our state.

    Center members come from an array of careers fields: teachers, principals, business owners, engineers, architects, fashion designers, administrators for public and private organizations, nurses and others in the health field, visitor industry managers and employees, military personnel, law enforcement officers, attorneys, construction workers, legislators, artists, insurance and financial service providers, homemakers, mothers, fathers, grandpas and grandmas, and just good people.

    Lanakila’s 1,500 members focus on keeping healthy and mentally alert through tai chi, Sahm Bo Dahn, yoga, Zumba, hula, taisho koto, singing, enka, mah jong, line dancing, karate, tap dancing, cultural dances, sewing, quilt making, arts and crafts, ‘ukulele, walking, gardening, community excursions, public performances, and by being with friends and talking story.

    Center members are independent. They enjoy team and group activities, too. They plan and coordinate events and activities that promote lifelong learning, and bring joy to others through community service, music, song and dance. They look out for one another.

    The Lanakila Senior Center is comfortable, friendly and caring.

    I love being part of this special place.

     

    LANAKILA MULTI PURPOSE SENIOR CENTER
    1640 Lanakila Ave., Honolulu HI 96817
    808-847-1322 | www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org/about/locations/lanakila-senior-center

    It’s 7:30 a.m. and volunteers are already preparing for a day of fun classes, club activities and good conversation. The Lanakila Multi- Purpose Senior Center (LMPSC) is the place to be for active seniors. LMPSC is filled with great energy, caring people, and active seniors, volunteers and staff. It is amazing to learn about and…

  • Making Mindful Choices for Memory 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 is an important first step. Senior living communities often embrace neighborhood outreach services and resources. Working together with organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association of Hawai‘i provides a supportive network for local families through open community meetings. A nearby group can help navigate the emotional journey ahead.

    The next step is having an understanding that almost all ku¯ puna with memory loss will eventually need continuous care. Memory Care is a specialized service. Not all senior living communities are able to offer it, but it is important to find one that is licensed to do so. Studies show that staff trained specifically in dementia care can provide better quality of life for residents.

    What to Look for in a Memory Care Home

    Spectrum of Support: When researching senior living communities, find out if there’s a supportive bridge to Memory Care available for earlystage patients. Minimizing disruption is beneficial to those requiring memory support.

    Body & Mind: A connection between physical and mental well-being is well documented. Make sure the community offers physical activities that can be tailored to the individual to keep them vital.

    An overview of ‘Ilima at Leihano and their Memory Garden.
    Nutritional Needs: It’s common for memory care residents to have special dietary needs. Many become forgetful about eating and uninterested in foods they used to love. Providing nutritious meals and an inviting variety of fresh options is needed to support brain health.

    Security & Serenity: Secure grounds are paramount to the safety of residents and the peace of mind for ‘ohana. As wandering is a common occurrence in seniors with memory loss, ask about the safety measures in place. A protected natural setting is also an ideal addition, such as a place offering stimulation in a reassuring space.

    Making “Connections:” An important part of the memory support for residents is a program encouraging social interaction. Seek a community that provides daily programs that engage residents. Music therapy can also be a powerful enhancement. People process music with almost every part of their brain and music that has personal significance can garner responses even in seniors with later stages of dementia.

    Care with Compassion: In addition to quality training and good staff-to-resident ratios, there should be a philosophy of service delivered with dignity. Great memory care engages ku¯ puna, gives them space to be active and promotes a complete package of physical and emotional support.

     

    ‘ILIMA AT LEIHANO
    739 Leihano St., Kapolei HI 96707
    808-674-8022 | www.kiscoseniorliving.com

    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 is an important first step. Senior living communities often embrace neighborhood…