This column spotlights aging issues and asks random seniors their opinions. For this issue, we decided to ask about transportation and recreation: which would they use and if they’re still going to a recreational park. If you wish to comment on these questions, please visit this article on www.generations808.com and post a comment.
Alicia Nagasawa, 67
Bus or Rail?: “At this age, I’d choose the bus,” said Alicia. “I live on University Avenue. I would choose the bus; the bus stop is across from my house. It’s convenient. I don’t think I’d use the rail — maybe just to sightsee, you know, the countryside.”
How about using the recreational parks: “No, we used to a long time ago, every weekend. Now, police chase you out at a certain time,” said Alicia. “If I had grandchildren, I’d be at the parks more often. I wouldn’t go there at night though. It’s dangerous now.”
Melvin “Mel” Kellett, 71
Bus or Rail?: “With the rail, I would have to go down to the station. I’d have to use the bus anyway to get there.”
How about using the recreational parks: Mel shared that his family holds picnics at Ala Moana Beach Park often and that he “used to run around the park and used the exercise station… Now I hardly go because I’m 71 years old,” said Mel. “My wife and grandchildren still go.”
Love’s Bakery has been an important part of Hawai‘i’s history for generations — marking its 165th anniversary this year!
Dr. Yamamoto, a pediatric rheumatologist for over 20 years, has become a leader in her field. She cares for the majority of children diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis (JA) in the state, who come from all eight islands. JA affects over 1,200 kids and their families in Hawai‘i.
One substitute for that great big binder is a USB, “thumb” or “jump” drive. It is a thumb-sized piece of hardware that plugs into almost any computer (iPads excepted) that will store more electronic documents than you will ever need it to hold. At a bare minimum, you will want store a copy of your advance directive and your HIPAA authorization (the document that gives medical providers your permission to talk to your decision maker), but you might also want other documents, such as your durable power of attorney. The downside to this technology is that it is a piece of non-waterproof hardware that can be lost, or stolen and misused.
Yet another option is Internet technology that allows you to store your estate planning documents in the “cloud” and access them from any computer or laptop (including your iPad) whenever you need to, and from wherever you happen to be at the time. One example is called Cubby (www.cubby.com), but there are others on the market. When you are a Cubby subscriber, you can create a secure link that you (or your kids or your financial planner) can use to access your estate planning documents 24/7. This can be a very helpful solution in a variety of contexts — not just medical emergencies.
Medicare Identity Theft is a serious and growing problem that impacts the lives of millions of seniors every year. A variety of reasons, including the expansion of technology and the Internet, allow personal information to be stolen and sold worldwide. Furthermore, the sheer magnitude of Medicare provides both incentive and opportunity for thieves to take advantage of the program. Medicare serves 46 million beneficiaries, who are primarily seniors, and expends $375 billion annually. Because it is so large and complex, with thousands of health care providers submitting millions of claims daily, Medicare is difficult to oversee. As a result, $68 billion is estimated to be lost to fraud annually.