Category: Articles

Who Should Think About Medicaid?

An unpleasant fact of life is the prospect of needing long-term care someday. Statistics tell us that 70 percent of Americans will need long-term care for some period of time before death. So it is not just possible, but very likely that you or someone close to you will need long-term care.

In Hawai‘i, the average monthly cost of care in a skilled nursing facility is $8,850. At least, that is the figure used by MedQUEST, the office that administers Medicaid benefits in the State of Hawai‘i. If you have researched nursing home costs, you know that the MedQUEST figure is low. In private-pay situations, the cost easily reaches $12,000 per month. The cost of receiving skilled nursing care at home is even higher.

If you do need nursing home care, how long will you need it? The average stay in a nursing home is between two and three years, but that figure is misleading. Many people pass within  the first six months of moving into a nursing home, but those who make it past six months tend to last about six years. Thus, at $12,000 per month for six years, you could easily be looking at $864,000 in nursing home bills for yourself or a loved one. How will you pay those bills?

If you are fortunate, you have $1,000,000 set aside for yourself, and another $1,000,000 for your spouse, if you are married. An alternative would be having long-term care insurance that would cover your (and your spouse’s) expenses for life. But what if you are not so fortunate?

Our government has established a safety net called Medicaid that works alongside Medicare and private health insurance to provide the funds to pay for long-term care for those who qualify. To receive Medicaid benefits, a single individual can own very little in the way of assets, but a married couple can own enough to give the “well” spouse a shot at never having to try to qualify for Medicaid. However, in order for you to maximize the overall benefits for yourself (and your spouse), a good plan can make a world of difference.

If you are going to save for nursing home expenses, the sooner you start, the better. If you are going to buy long-term care insurance, the sooner you do so, the better. In the same way, if Medicaid will be your family’s only viable option for paying for long-term care, the sooner you plan, the better. The longer you wait, the more opportunities will go by the wayside.

So sit down and take stock of your resources. Do you have enough socked away to pay for long-term care? If not, do you have long-term care insurance, or could you qualify for it and afford the premiums? If you have not answered “yes” yet, you might wish to talk with an estate planning attorney who can guide you through setting up a plan to qualify for Medicaid benefits without having to impoverish yourself and leave nothing behind to your descendants.

SCOTT MAKUAKANE, Counselor at Law Focusing exclusively on estate planning and trust law.
Watch Scott’s TV show, Malama Kupuna Sundays at 8:30 pm on KWHE, Oceanic channel 11
 O‘ahu: 808-587-8227 | maku@est8planning.com | www.est8planning.com

An unpleasant fact of life is the prospect of needing long-term care someday. Statistics tell us that 70 percent of Americans will need long-term care for some period of time before death. So it is not just possible, but very likely that you or someone close to you will need long-term care. In Hawai‘i, the…
Making Our Souls Blossom

Ella Moncrief with Bella Campos and her grandmother on Kūpuna Day.

Assets School makes a difference in the lives of gifted and dyslexic students through a strengths-based learning environment. We place a strong emphasis on the importance of family support to help to build confidence and resilience in each child.

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust

I remembered this quote on Kūpuna Day, one of my favorite days on the school calendar. This year, we welcomed 150 guests to campus: grandparents, parents, grand aunts and uncles, as well as aunties, uncles and family friends. We are excited to meet the many different adults and elders who make a positive impact on our students’ lives. As we shared breakfast together, two classes greeted us with a song and dance. Then, we had fun making arts-and-crafts and moved to the classrooms where children and ku¯puna engaged in all kinds of fun activities. As I listened to ku¯puna sharing stories about their school-aged years, I couldn’t help but wonder who had more fun, the children or the adults?

“I was thoroughly entertained and so glad I made the effort to attend on both days for both of my grandchildren,“ said Susan Lee, grandmother of Zak Campos, grade 3 and Bella Campos, grade 5. “Visiting Assets gives me a unique perspective on Zak and Bella’s world and brings us closer together.”

ASSETS SCHOOL
1 Ohana Nui Way, Honolulu, HI, 96818
 808-432-1356 | www.assets-school.net

Assets School makes a difference in the lives of gifted and dyslexic students through a strengths-based learning environment. We place a strong emphasis on the importance of family support to help to build confidence and resilience in each child. “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who…
Baby Boomer: New to Social Security?

If retirement is on your horizon, we can answer your questions about Social Security benefits. Here are some common questions:

Q: What can Social Security do to help me plan for my retirement?

A: We have two online financial planning tools you can use to make informed decisions about your retirement: Retirement Planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2, and Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. They compute estimates of your future Social Security retirement benefits, including military service, household earnings and federal employment.

Q: I applied for a replacement Social Security card. When should I receive my new card?

A: You’ll usually receive your replacement card in about 10 days. We work hard to protect you, to prevent identity theft, and to ensure the integrity of your Social Security number. To do that, we have to verify documents you present as proof of identity. In some cases, documents must be certified before we can issue the card. For more information about your Social Security card and number, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

Q: How do I schedule, reschedule, or cancel an appointment with Social Security?

A: Many transactions can be made online, like filing for Retirement, Medicare, Spouses’ and Disabiliy benefits. If you need to call us or apply for benefiuts in person, we are here to assist.

For questions, online applications or to make an appointment to visit a Social Security office,
contact us between 7am–5pm, Monday–Friday:
1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)  | www.socialsecurity.gov

If retirement is on your horizon, we can answer your questions about Social Security benefits. Here are some common questions: Q: What can Social Security do to help me plan for my retirement? A: We have two online financial planning tools you can use to make informed decisions about your retirement: Retirement Planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2,…
The Good Daughter

Arlene’s mother’s last breath was soft and peaceful. Arlene welled up and sobbed — not entirely from sadness, but also from release. She had done all she could do. She had honored mom’s wishes and here they were, alone at Arlene’s home on O‘ahu; Mom’s pain and frustration were over.

Arlene texted her family. They were all here last week, so there wasn’t much to say. The last family gathering was part of mom’s plan for peace and no regrets. Everyone said what they needed to say. Now the nurse from Islands Hospice was gently preparing mom for transport to the mortuary. It was surreal, but Arlene was at peace too.

Over twenty years ago, Janet had instructed her children in her belief that people do not have to suffer at the end of their lives. Every couple of years she would bring up the conversation. Arlene could hear her now, “We don’t let our pets suffer at the end of their lives; I want you to show me that same compassion. Help me die with dignity, in my own bed.” Janet told her daughter that her greatest fear was the burden of being dependent on others for her personal care. As Arlene got older she understood that if her mom got sick and could not get better, she would choose when to die, and Arlene would help her pass peacefully.

Janet was living a full life as professional educator, living independently and serving on her church board when the stroke came. Suddenly, she was paraplegic, incontinent, aphasic and very dependent. She tried rehabilitation, but after three months, all she recovered was control of her facial muscles. She still could not say what she was thinking, but with great difficulty, she spelled out a message to Arlene, by feebly pointing to one letter at a time. Janet had the financial means to pay for her continued care, but she was done suffering and being completely dependent.

Arlene would never have been able to guess her mother’s wishes. But Janet had trained her for this moment. Without breaking any laws, Janet would purposely refuse nourishment, and Arlene would not intervene, but honor her decision and keep her comfortable at home. Years ago, the whole family agreed to Janet’s “compassionate choice,” if she became bedridden and dependent.

After Janet was transported to Arlene’s home, the family came together for their farewells. It was a peaceful time and with its own joys. When Janet indicated that she was done “entertaining,” the family left. Her focus turned to passing. Our bodies can live for months without food, but only a few days without liquids. Paralyzed parts of Janet’s body were in pain, and hospice treated the pain to keep her comfortable. In a few days, Janet was done being “conscious” and gave in to sleep. Her resolve never waivered. Arlene was able to be a good daughter and support her mother’s plan: to die peacefully at home, with dignity.

Arlene’s mother’s last breath was soft and peaceful. Arlene welled up and sobbed — not entirely from sadness, but also from release. She had done all she could do. She had honored mom’s wishes and here they were, alone at Arlene’s home on O‘ahu; Mom’s pain and frustration were over. Arlene texted her family. They were all here…
Consider Memory Care Options

Independence is a matter of choice and circumstances. And as we age, we naturally become more dependent on others. Living “independently” may mean that you own a home with a yard or a condo, you rent an apartment, or you rent a room in a senior living community. Most people who live a long life can expect to move from one level of independent living to another as yard work, driving and housekeeping become impossible tasks. The newest senior living communities now offer several options in one living complex: independent living, assisted living, short-term respite care for rehabilitation, a memory care neighborhood, and skilled nursing facility. This broad array of services allows clients to easily transition to a higher level of assistance and care within their new home.

Many seniors worry about how they might be cared for if they lose their memory or develop dementia. Memory care prescribes a specialized program of personal care and services designed for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Some individuals with memory loss continue to live at home with their families, under the care of their family doctor and supported by adult day care for socialization. Other individuals with dementia live in memory care communities staffed with aides who are uniquely qualified to provide comfort, safety and support for residents, and to provide opportunity for social interaction.

Memory care “neighborhoods” designed for dementia and other memory impairments, blend a home-like environment with holistic-centered programs and services under the supervision of highly-trained compassionate care managers. A team of professional care specialists deliver an individualized care program for each resident, based on confidential assessments or his/her cognitive abilities. Regularly scheduled follow up assessments and ongoing monitoring ensure that each resident is properly treated and supported through every stage of his/her disease.

It’s inevitable that aging seniors will need care and assistance at some time. Instead of worrying about it, educate yourself on all the options and plan ahead.

KALĀKAUA GARDENS —  A Senior Assisted Living Community
1723 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu HI 96826
 808-518-2273 | www.kalakauagardens.com

Independence is a matter of choice and circumstances. And as we age, we naturally become more dependent on others. Living “independently” may mean that you own a home with a yard or a condo, you rent an apartment, or you rent a room in a senior living community. Most people who live a long life…
Why Drink More Water?

… because it puts a smile on your face, and a more positive outlook on life.

It is amazing that normal activities of the human body result in a loss of two to three quarts of water daily. This water needs to be replenished to maintain an optimum health profile. Just a two percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math and reading skills and difficulty staying focused.

The more we age, the less we feel thirsty, and the less water we drink. Confusion between hunger and thirst may cause us to eat instead of drink. To maintain health in our elder years, it is very important to build good habits that keep our bodies properly hydrated — drinking the right amount of ionized water will keep our bodies healthy.

How do we lose water?

We lose the most water through urination. Healthy kidneys filter our blood and excrete by-products as liquid urine. Diuretic medications cause the body to purge more fluid. If you have kidney disease or take “water pills,” your doctor will give you special instructions on how much water you may drink every day.

Warm weather in Hawai‘i causes us to perspire and lose water. Some chronic disease conditions also cause us to sweat more.

Dry, climate-controlled environments dehydrate skin, nasal passages and mouths. Every time we breathe out, our lungs lose moisture.

A smaller but important source of dehydration comes with the use of laxatives and other remedies for constipation. Increasing fiber for regularity and to keep our gut healthy requires increasing water intake at the same time. When we have bouts of diarrhea it is very important to drink water to replace lost fluid.

A properly hydrated body can maintain proper blood and tissue composition. Joints are lubricated, body temperature is regulated and lungs and airway are moistened for proper breathing. Over time, inadequate hydration or dehydration may lead to arthritic conditions, sore muscles, labored breathing and increased body temperatures.

Symptoms of dehydration:

● Confusion
● Chronic fatigue and lethargy
● Drowsiness
● Labored Speech
● Chronic pain
● Dry Mouth
● Sunken Eyeballs
● Passing only small amounts of dark, deep yellow odorous urine

Other Complaints with dehydration:

● Loss of muscle tone
● Excess weight gain
● Slowing of the metabolism
● Organ failure
● Arthritis
● Dry skin
● Migraines
● Vertigo
● Hypertension
● Digestive complications
● Persistent constipation

Seniors may get dehydrated without knowing it, and experience chronic physical and mental problems that could be easily corrected by drinking adequate amounts of the right kind of water. Unless your doctor has asked you to restrict your water intake, drink two to three quarts of ionized water every day — it takes a little practice, so start now. Here’s to your health!

Enagic USA INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR
Alan Matsushima, Health and Wellness Consultant 
808-384-7354 | trader_808@yahoo.com

It is amazing that normal activities of the human body result in a loss of two to three quarts of water daily. This water needs to be replenished to maintain an optimum health profile. Just a two percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math and reading skills and…
Faithful Companions

Pets are great at any age. Do you remember your first pet and learning how to care for Spot or Fluffy? It doesn’t take much time and effort to keep a mature pet. The love, attention and companionship they give seems so much more than the protection, food and exercise we offer.

The Humane Society has a special program called Senior to Senior, where persons over 60 may adopt any dog or cat over 6 years of age — free of charge. Many seniors prefer smaller dogs that are older, have more settled personalities and are already housebroken and trained. Retirement gives us more time for a pet and a deeper need for companionship. If you want a little encouragement to get out for your daily exercise, a pet has a special way of getting you to your feet!

The Hawaiian Humane Society is an education and advocacy organization that shelters, protects, rescues, reunites and rehomes animals. It is O‘ahu’s only open-admission shelter that welcomes all animals. Established in 1883, this nonprofit organization is not a chapter of any group because there is no national humane society. The humane societies on neighbor islands: Hawaii Island Humane Society, Maui Humane Society, Kauai Humane Society and West Hawaii Humane Society are separate entities. Gifts made directly to these independent organizations help local animals.

Christina Kam, Communications and Events Manager at The Hawaiian Humane Society says that seniors make excellent volunteers because many are retired and have time to devote to helping animals. They show up on schedule to walk dogs in the morning and help clean the cat house. They even do community presentations on behalf of the Hawaiian Humane Society. “Seniors may also become foster families and care for the animals in the comfort of their own homes,” says Kam. “Please ask your readers to contact us and learn more about volunteer opportunities.”

Need more encouragement? Just look at this cute dog who was up for adoption in January. We missed the chance to give him a home then — but the pet of your dreams may be waiting for you right now at your local Humane Society.

HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY 2700 Waialae Ave., Honolulu HI 96826
808-356-2200 | www.hawaiihumane.org

Pets are great at any age. Do you remember your first pet and learning how to care for Spot or Fluffy? It doesn’t take much time and effort to keep a mature pet. The love, attention and companionship they give seems so much more than the protection, food and exercise we offer. The Humane Society…
New Ways to View Alzheimer’s Disease

Candy Crowley, CNN chief political correspondent, once said about her mom, who had Alzheimer’s disease in 2012, “I want to tell you how much I miss my mother. I miss her most when I’m sitting across from her.”

Crowley, her siblings and numerous families have similar reactions and remorse when they realize that their aging loved ones are not remembering or are asking the same things repeatedly.

“Alzheimer’s creates a kind of friction that the family needs to be strong for,” she said, offering this advice: “You have to hold on to things and know what is true in life.”

Caregiving is one of the toughest times for family caregivers and their relationships. Alzheimer’s disease forces a family to adapt and thrive as parents turn into strangers. Because the loved one still looks the same, it is hard to accept the change. Rather than feeling dread and drawing away from one antoher, caregivers need to huddle, grieve, hold each other’s hands and talk gently to find solutions and ways to cope with the “new normal.”

As a life coach, I suggest a family powwow to air worries, fears and frustration. Saddened and distraught family members need skillful guidance and a proven sequential process. It is not a time to “wing it” and haphazardly connect to one another. Reach out to professionals like Pamela Ah Nee of the Alzheimer’s Association and Project Dana Caregiver Support Group. You are not alone on this road — even if it’s painful and filled with unknowns. It is possible to take pleasure in your aging loved ones and each other

LIFE COACH VILLAGE, LLC 2383 Beckwith St., Honolulu | 808-372-3478 ap@annettepang.com | www.legendarywisdoms.com

Candy Crowley, CNN chief political correspondent, once said about her mom, who had Alzheimer’s disease in 2012, “I want to tell you how much I miss my mother. I miss her most when I’m sitting across from her.” Crowley, her siblings and numerous families have similar reactions and remorse when they realize that their aging…
Help Your Employees with Retirement

As a small-business owner, one of the greatest benefits you can provide to your employees is a retirement plan that helps them save for their financial future. Your contributions to a retirement plan are a deductible business expense, and a strong compensation package helps you compete for and retain talented people. As an employer, you have flexibility in choosing a plan or combination of plans that work for your business. Broad categories include:

DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS

A defined benefit plan, such as a traditional pension plan, enables you to make annual contributions, which can be adjusted each year. Some plans feature an automatic annual increase, allowing you to reward employee loyalty. The plan pays out a specified benefit to retired employees.

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

A defined contribution plan allows the employee, the employer or both to contribute to an individual account for the employee. A 401(k), allows the employee and employer to make consistent, tax-deferred contributions. The monies in the account are invested and participants choose investments that have the potential to grow taxdeferred. These plans allow annual contributions of up to $18,000 in 2015 and 2016. The employee has the ability to borrow from the plan to cover emergency needs, and employees age 50 and over may make “catch-up” contributions up to an additional $6,000 a year to build for retirement. Employers have the flexibility to establish vesting schedules or options such as a Roth 401(k), funded by after-tax contributions but with the potential to provide for tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Both Roth 401(k) and pretax 401(k) savings plans require minimum distributions in retirement. Both savings instruments will prepare your employees for retirement.

IRAs

There are two types of individual retirement accounts (IRAs) that allow you to make tax-deferred contributions. The Simplified Employee Pension
(SEP) IRA option is one of the easiest and least costly plans to create. As the employer, you make 100 percent of the contributions, which are immediately vested for the employee. In 2015 and 2016, the maximum contribution can be 25 percent of an employee’s salary up to a total contribution of $53,000. It’s not possible to set up a Roth version or to offer loan provisions.

A SIMPLE IRA is a second option you can use if your business has less than 100 employees. Like a SEP, it’s easy to establish and administer, and the plan requires employers to match the employee’s contributions. In 2015 and 2016, the maximum contribution to a SIMPLE IRA for an individual is $12,500, with an additional $3,000 allowed for employees age 50 and older.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR RETIREMENT

It’s important for business owners to understand all their options when it comes to saving for retirement and helping your employees save for their financial future. While you may be hoping that the proceeds from the future sale of your business will provide for your retirement, you could be putting your future at risk if you’re not saving in another vehicle. A lot could happen to affect the value of your business or your ability to sell it. Establishing a retirement plan may provide a more secure source of future retirement income to supplement the sale of your business assets. Consider working with a financial advisor who specializes in small business retirement plans. A professional can help you make the best choice for you, your employees and your business.

MICHAEL W. K. YEE, CFP 1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1100, Honolulu 808-952-1222 ext. 1240 | michael.w.yee@ampf.com

Michael W. K. Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CLTC, CRPC®, is a Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner with Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies, and has been in practice for 28. Ameriprise Financial Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation. Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. ©2015 Ameriprise Financial Inc. All rights reserved. File #1359721

As a small-business owner, one of the greatest benefits you can provide to your employees is a retirement plan that helps them save for their financial future. Your contributions to a retirement plan are a deductible business expense, and a strong compensation package helps you compete for and retain talented people. As an employer, you…
Kūpuna Can Grow Readers

Justin loves reading with his Tu¯ tu¯ Helen, as much as she does with him.

Justin was in kindergarten when Kalihi Kai Elementary School began Golden Moment Hawai‘i, a collaboration between Kristy Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation (ADF) and Hawai‘i P-20 to bring “Always Reading” into Hawai‘i public schools. It’s a very simple program: it offers kindergarten children a wide variety of books, which parents commit to read to their children — a little every day.

Each week, Justin’s teacher handed out “little red bags” for students to take home — each bag contained three different books to take home so their parents could read them the stories.

Like many retired seniors, Tu¯ tu¯ Helen De Castro helps raise her grandson, so she began reading to Justin, every day for 15 or 20 minutes, before dinner or bedtime. The children liked the little red bags more than the school library. The parents loved the quality time, and Justin looked forward to getting “my books” every week.

“Reading is so important,” says Grandma Helen. “In math you have to read the problems. When something goes wrong with a computer, you have to read the directions to fix it. Reading opens the whole world to kids. ‘Always Reading’ opened up Justin’s world, too.”

Kindergarteners sponge up everything that comes their way. “Justin listens to a story a couple of times, and by then he has it memorized. He counts to 10 in Spanish, and memorizes all the dialogue on his Leap Frog DVDs. I wish he would memorize Grandma’s shopping list!” says Helen.

Now Justin is a first-grader and little red bags are only for kindergarten kids, but he and Helen still read together every day. “Finding new books to read to my grandson is always on my shopping list,” says Helen. She likes Walmart, the Library and Savers for books on all reading levels. She also gets bargains on used books at some branches of the Hawaii State Credit Union.

“A funny thing happened,” adds Helen, “Justin has started writing his own stories. His classmate draws nice illustrations, and I get to staple the ‘book’ together. With just a pencil and a piece of scratch paper, he is happy to amuse himself. When we go to the grocery, he rides in the cart and reads his book.”

Helen offers this advice: “Grandparents can do a lot to support the literacy of their grandchildren ; if you read to them every day, they take to it.”

ALWAYS READING PROGRAM by Always Dream Foundation For inquiries, email: info@alwaysdream.org www.alwaysdream.org/programs HAWAII STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS www.tinyurl.com/HSPLS-LibraryBranches

Justin was in kindergarten when Kalihi Kai Elementary School began Golden Moment Hawai‘i, a collaboration between Kristy Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation (ADF) and Hawai‘i P-20 to bring “Always Reading” into Hawai‘i public schools. It’s a very simple program: it offers kindergarten children a wide variety of books, which parents commit to read to their children…
Our Contributors

Generations Magazine calls upon Hawai‘i’s experts — from financial and legal advisors to
health care professionals and noted chefs — to produce informative and meaningful resources
for our local seniors and their families. We are grateful for their contributions.

MIGUEL GONZALEZ, President, Catalyst Factor Agency Public Relations, is a former newspaper
reporter with the Los Angeles Times and Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency
in Paris. He is the founder of Catalyst Public Relations with offices in Los Angeles and
Honolulu. Gonzalez also teaches Public Relations seminars designed to make PR services
more available to small-business owners. He and his wife, Melanie, are the proud parents
of Sebastien Omri, age 2.
SANTIAGO RIVERA, Chief Operating Officer, Interim Healthcare Honolulu, is an innovative
senior executive with over 20 years of international experience in healthcare
administration. His expertise supports the company’s continued growth and community
commitment in O‘ahu. His goal is to grow Interim Healthcare Honolulu to meet the needs
of a growing senior population while maintaining solid support for the highest quality in
home care services and social integration.
JEFFREY SISEMOORE, JD is Director of Planned Giving and Major Gifts for the National
Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i (NKFH). Jeff brings a legal and financial background to
NKFH and is devoted to helping people who wish to support the mission of NKFH by showing
them how their charitable desires can be achieved while benefiting themselves and their
families. Jeff is available for consultation at 589-5976. Register for a free eNewsletter and
check out the wealth of information at www.kidneyhawaii.org.
STEPHEN B. YIM, JD, LLM is a sole practitioner tax attorney specializing in elder law and
the areas of estate planning, and supplemental needs planning for families who have children
with disabilities, charitable tax planning, estate and gift tax planning, estate administration,
trusts and wills. He currently teaches M.B.A.and MAcc students at University of
Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific University, and many public workshops, including Generations
Magazine Aging in Place Workshop.
ALAN MATSUSHIMA, Enagic ™ Ionized Water Consultant, developed a keen interest in
naturopathic health began 40 years ago, as a food and beverage director and restaurant
owner. In his second career as a mortgage broker, Realtor and insurance agent, Alan
raised his family, helped his community and traveled the world. Today, in eight countries,
he pursues his life theme: “Help as many people as you can,” educating and advocating
for the health benefits of ionized water.
MAILE KAWAMURA, Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation Hawai‘i, is responsible
for planning, implementing, managing and evaluating of all events and programs of the
organization. She brings together corporate partners, medical and community leaders and
community volunteers to raise funds and awareness for the 120 different forms of arthritis
and related diseases that affect over 236,000 individuals in Hawai‘i

And a continuing mahalo to our ever-present contributing partners (in alphabetical order):
PAMELA CUNNINGHAM | MARTHA KHLOPIN | SCOTT MAKUAKANE | JULIE MOON |
ANNETTE PANG | EILEEN PHILLIPS | TERRY SHINTANI | JEFFREY SISEMORE | SCOTT SPALLINA |
JANE YAMAMOTO-BURIGSAY | MICHAEL W. YEE | STEPHEN YIM

Generations Magazine calls upon Hawai‘i’s experts — from financial and legal advisors to health care professionals and noted chefs — to produce informative and meaningful resources for our local seniors and their families. We are grateful for their contributions. MIGUEL GONZALEZ, President, Catalyst Factor Agency Public Relations, is a former newspaper reporter with the Los…
Message From The Editor

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias that affect us in our later years can be especially troubling. I believe we fear that dementia will squash our independence and make it impossible to multitask — an activity based heavily on recent memory.

Maybe we fear that the future will not have a role for “elders.” In past generations, most elders lived with their children, and seniors could gracefully “slow down,” taking on smaller roles in managing the household. Expectations were reasonable. Elders were respected for their long-term memory and the wisdom it brings to current challenges.

Despite our fears, dementia has the potential to touch every family and you may already be a patient or a care partner. We all need to know the latest information and what to plan for as we get older. As my tu¯ tu¯ says, “It is what it is.” We are fortunate to have three dedicated experts take the time to share their knowledge with us so we can put our fears aside and help our families, friends, neighbors and yes — ourselves — look at this disorder headon. Alzheimer’s has a face, and it is ours.

Deacons Paul Lucas, Malcolm Keleawe, Mahi Beimes and John Tomoso of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i love Generations Magazine!

Our December/January issue, with Father Bill Petri’s story and a tour of Kalaupapa had great reader reviews. We love to hear from you, so please post your comments at www.generations808.com, or email us a picture, like the new Episcopal Deacons did. News: America’s Health Rankings® Annual Report found that Hawai‘i ranks No.1 among all states in overall health. Our strengths are a low prevalence of obesity and very few preventable hospitalizations. We need to do better job immunizing our youth for tetanus, diphtheria and Whooping Cough (Tdap vaccine) and we have to clean up our act and reduce the incidence of Salmonella food poisoning. A third area of improvement is to reduce excessive consumption of alcohol.

It’s very clear that health and wellness is something achieved by increasing awareness and activating the entire community to adopt healthy attitudes and habits. Generations Magazine is pleased to be a positive resource for living in Hawai‘i.

Every Day is Brand New!
Katherine Kama‘ema‘e Smith, Associate Editor

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias that affect us in our later years can be especially troubling. I believe we fear that dementia will squash our independence and make it impossible to multitask — an activity based heavily on recent memory. Maybe we fear that the future will not have a role for “elders.” In past…

Category: Articles

How do we lose water?

Symptoms of dehydration:

Other Complaints with dehydration:

DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

IRAs

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR RETIREMENT