Category: Articles

Volunteer – It’s a Good Thing

Alzheimer’s Association Aloha Chapter Kauai Program Office
Humberto Blanco | 808-245-3200 | HBlanco@alz.org
Help as an administrative/program organizer at a dementia clinic; support grant procurement, help in health fair booths, general administration, office support and data entry.

Alzheimer’s Association Oahu
Pamela Scott, Program Director | 808-591-2785 | pscott@alz.org
Enjoy a team purpose: assist with office work, community outreach services and local health fairs.

Arthritis Foundation – Hawaii Branch
Maile Kawamura, Executive Director | 808-596-2900 | mkawamura@arthritis.org
Various clerical and administrative positions.

Catholic Charities Hawaii (Honolulu)
Maureen Caracciolo | 808-527-4780
Be a friend: visits, companionship and escort services to homebound and elders.

Common Grace (Honolulu)
808-342-8326 | commongraceofhawaii@gmail.com
Share your company and friendship with a child in public school for one hour a week.

Hawaii SHIP (formerly the Sage PLUS Program) (Honolulu)
1-888-875-9229 | help@hawaiiship.org
Everyone needs guidance. Available statewide are Medicare counseling and assistance, customer service specialists, community outreach specialists and special project assistants.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth
808-839-9885 ext. 711 | outreach@htyweb.org | www.htyweb.org
Let yourself shine by ushering, assisting with special events and general office work.

Kuakini Health System (Honolulu)
Brian Nagamine | 808-547-9184 | b.nagamine@kuakini.org
Assist with acute care, geriatric care services, clerical duties, information desk services, hospital tours, and gift shop/snack shop operations.

Lanakila Meals on Wheels
Ben Brown or Lenny Fabro | 808-356-8519 | bbrown@lanakilapacific.org
Provide a link to the outside world. Become a shuttle driver and deliver meals to hubs across the island or serve as an on-call deliverer.

Leahi Hospital Thrift Shop (Honolulu)
Dianne Krajci | 808-225-6165 or 808-733-8091
Multi-talented? Help needed: sorting, pricing, displays, cashiering, and researching donated items.

Lunalilo Home (Honolulu)
808-395-1000 | admin@lunalilo.org
Kupuna wisdom needed in all areas: Hawaiian culture, gardening, arts-and-crafts, hairstyling, administration. Learn to deliver “Namaste” and dementia care by “talking story” or just being a companion.

Manoa Cottage (Kaimuki)
Calvin M. Hara | 808-426-7852
Share your gift of friendship: one-on-one visits, arts and crafts, entertainment: music and programs.

Na Hoaloha (Maui)
808-249-2545 | www.nahoaloha.org
Looking for angels for homebound seniors to do transportation services, grocery and medical appointments; walks, talk story, light housekeeping and gardening. Be a visiting friend; give caregiver relief.

Palolo Chinese Home (Honolulu)
808-748-4911
Get involved in senior day care, nursing home and care home activities and planned events. Help with fundraising, in-home companionship and chore services or delivering meals to seniors at home.

Project Dana (Honolulu)
808-945-3736 | www.projectdana.org
Giving your heart can mean a lot, provide services to frail seniors in Honolulu.

Seagull Schools, Inc. (Honolulu)
808-261-8534 | www.seagullschools.com
Lend a friendly hand as a teaching or staff assistant in classrooms, adult day center, the food service kitchen; light groundskeeping and/or cleaning tasks.

Senior Companion Program (Honolulu)
808-832-0342 | shull@dhs.hawaii.gov
Dynamic? Have a big heart? Share it with like-minded seniors, age 55 years and older. We match you with homebound seniors to provide companionship and emotional support. We believe in “home.”

St. Francis Healthcare System (Honolulu)
Maylynn Wong | 808-547-8138 | mwong@stfrancishawaii.org
Be the comfort of companionship: hold a hand, use a computer, address envelopes, teach a craft, deliver medical supplies, make phone calls, sing & play music, record their memoirs, lend an ear and touch a heart.

The American National Red Cross, Hawaii Chapter (Honolulu)
808-734-2101 | www.redcross.org/volunteer/
Ready to jump into the action? We can use your vitality. Log on for complete volunteer job descriptions and volunteer training opportunities.

Alzheimer’s Association Aloha Chapter Kauai Program Office Humberto Blanco | 808-245-3200 | HBlanco@alz.org Help as an administrative/program organizer at a dementia clinic; support grant procurement, help in health fair booths, general administration, office support and data entry. Alzheimer’s Association Oahu Pamela Scott, Program Director | 808-591-2785 | pscott@alz.org Enjoy a team purpose: assist with office…
High Intensity Training for Arthritic Relief

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 33 percent of adults 65 and older suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). Mayo Clinic reports that OA is the most common form of arthritis, when protective cartilage wears down, creating “wear-and- tear” pain, discomfort and fatigue.

Aquatic therapy is an effective treatment for OA, giving patients improved mobility, reduced pain and greater flexibility. You might think exercise at a high intensity level would exacerbate the pain. Not so. A recent groundbreaking study published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, demonstrated the benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on an underwater treadmill. For six weeks, subjects with OA walked in water, against alternating high and low resistance. Training resulted in significantly less joint pain, improved balance, better mobility. Walking speed was nearly as fast as control subjects without arthritis. Aquatic exercise gave benefits and relief that individuals with OA would not be able to achieve on land.

A growing body of clinical research proves aquatic therapy for osteoarthritis may be more effective than alternative land-based exercise.

Moon Physical Therapy, LLC
320 Ward Avenue, Ste. 107, Honolulu, HI 96814
Aquatic, Land-based and Manual Therapy and
Cardiopulmonary Rehab Programs
808-597-1005 | www.moonpt.com

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 33 percent of adults 65 and older suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). Mayo Clinic reports that OA is the most common form of arthritis, when protective cartilage wears down, creating “wear-and- tear” pain, discomfort and fatigue. Aquatic therapy is an effective treatment for OA, giving…
Chinatown Celebrates Year of the Sheep

Governor David Ige, Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Honorary Mayor Joseph Young and the entire community celebrate at Night in Chinatown Parade and Festival.

At the full moon in March, a two-week long Chinese New Year celebration officially ended with a festival of lanterns. Earlier, at the new moon on Feb. 19, Chinatown welcomed thousands of residents and visitors with a huge parade, fireworks and Night in Chinatown street festival. Behind the scenes, families gathered for traditional meals, and parents gave their children red envelopes of money — an ancient tradition.

One of Chinatown’s many proud community groups

Many Chinese clubs and societies throughout the Hawaiian Islands gathered to practice cultural and spiritual traditions. Members of Chinatown’s Lung Doo Benevolent Society all speak a dialect that originates from Lung Doo village in the province of Zhongshan, China. Besides camaraderie and mentoring youth in Honolulu, they also helped build a school for kids in China.

Wei Yu, Liang , Miao Cai Ruan , Ame Lin , Joseph Young , Yai Sum Ng

At the full moon in March, a two-week long Chinese New Year celebration officially ended with a festival of lanterns. Earlier, at the new moon on Feb. 19, Chinatown welcomed thousands of residents and visitors with a huge parade, fireworks and Night in Chinatown street festival. Behind the scenes, families gathered for traditional meals, and…
Are You Prepared?
The American Red Cross, featured in this issue of Generations Magazine, is a historic organization that has served our country for more than 134 years. Not only does Red Cross provide assistance during crises, but it also educates the public on disaster preparedness. The question is: are you, as an older individual or as a caregiver to an elderly relative, prepared for an extended emergency?

If you share your home with an elderly family member, disaster preparedness is paramount. Here are six ways you can prepare your home and your family for emergencies:

Take a moment to look up your local shelter: where it is located, what services does it provide.

Are home emergency kit batteries sufficient for a disaster? If electricity is critical to the care of your elderly family member, be prepared to transport your loved one to an acute care facility.

Put together a “To-Go Bag” with basic care items for your family member. Include extra clothing, diapers, baby wipes, water and medications.

Ensure your family member’s medication will last several days. Have at least one refill available.

Keep medications in a small cooler filled with reusable ice packs.

Plan ahead for civil emergencies, because your home services may be temporarily unavailable.

Natural disasters and other emergencies are incredibly stressful; add caregiving and meeting the medical needs of loved ones on top, and you can be overwhelmed. But if you are prepared for crisis, you can keep your family protected! Aloha.

HiHomeCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
808-356-HELP (4357) | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
hihealthcarehawaii.com
The American Red Cross, featured in this issue of Generations Magazine, is a historic organization that has served our country for more than 134 years. Not only does Red Cross provide assistance during crises, but it also educates the public on disaster preparedness. The question is: are you, as an older individual or as a…
The “Sandwich Generation” in Hawai’i

The term “sandwich generation”has come to describe boomers — who find themselves supporting adult children and elderly parents at the same time. Possibly more visible in Hawai‘i, as costs of living rise, millennials are challenged to emerge into adulthood with financial independence. At the same time, our parents are living longer, and as they age we’re taking on caregiving tasks, with rising costs of longterm care looming in the background. How these physical, emotional and financial challenges are met calls for creative solutions. Our homes, families and communities are changing, with conventional homes now consisting of multiple and interdependent generations. Millennials are involved in caring for their grandparents, who in return, are more intimately involved in helping raise our families.

These family relationships have a direct impact on how the community and our systems of care evolve. Opportunities for families to be involved in strengthening their community and care systems are increasingly visible. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s ongoing Honolulu as an Age Friendly City Initiative, for example, envisions inter-connected communities that will embrace older adults who want to remain socially involved and physically active, a city infrastructure that will remain responsive to the capabilities and safety of our people, equitable services, robust opportunities for intergenerational exchanges, and thriving quality of life among all residents. Active community and family participation will be vital to the success of the Honolulu as an Age Friendly City Initiative. Information on the initiative will be continually updated on the following website: www.kupunatokeiki.com/.

Family involvement in developing health services and community supports is also crucial. Historically, care provided in the community was designed to provide services solely to the person with functional or cognitive limitations. In addition, Community services were limited, directed by the organization, and often times did not meet the individual needs of the person seeking help. More recently, recognition of individuals and families as essential partners in the care planning process has transformed the way we deliver care. We now see programs designed specifically for caregivers, such as the new T-CARE pilot project, available through the Maui County Aging and Disability Resource Center. Working together, care manager and caregiver create a personalized plan for the caregiver to better manage their responsibilities, while ensuring their own health and wellness. Caregiver feedback throughout the pilot project will be important, helping to determine whether or not T-CARE can be adopted and made available to all caregivers throughout Hawai‘i. For more information on this project, call the University of Hawai‘i Center on Aging at 808-956-5001 or at uhcoa@hawaii.edu.

Reinventing the role of family in healthcare, social services, and community initiatives will not only better support caregivers as they care for their parents and children, but will have a profound impact on the efficiency of care in our community. From hospital discharge planning to the development of new programs and community planning, as the two examples above highlight, there are a variety of vital roles for individuals and families that will ensure Hawai‘i’s communities are livable for all.

The term “sandwich generation”has come to describe boomers — who find themselves supporting adult children and elderly parents at the same time. Possibly more visible in Hawai‘i, as costs of living rise, millennials are challenged to emerge into adulthood with financial independence. At the same time, our parents are living longer, and as they age…
Round ‘em Up!

O’ahu Seniors rehearse for an exhibition dance.

Line Dancing — it’s not just country, or confined to local Honky Tonk. Heck! Seniors are line dancing to all their favorite tunes!

A number of studies extoll the benefits of line dancing for seniors: low impact exercise that can improve cardio-vascular health, muscle tone and strength is one. I just learned that it also lowers risk of osteoporosis!

Dancing also exercises our minds. Learning new dance steps, patterns and musical rhythms keep our brains and attention sharp — to ward off dementia. It also provides essential social benefits: meeting new people, sharing common interests. We see dancing seniors building new confidence and self-expression. Line dancing is a wonder drug for seniors! And FUN!

West Maui Seniors have fun at Kaunoa Center.

On O‘ahu, Palama Settlement offers a variety of line dance programs for the first-timers and intermediate level dancers. Kick up your heels with us at Ward Warehouse on Tuesday nights. Many County Department of Parks and Recreation senior clubs have open classes. Our annual Senior Line Dance Round-up is O‘ahu June 4 and 5.

For more information about the Senior Line Dance Round-up or line dance classes and programs on all islands, call 808-228-0390 on O‘ahu, or email AlohaLinedancer@outlook.com.

The counties of Honolulu and Maui present
THE ANNUAL SENIOR LINE DANCE ROUND-UP
hosted by the West Oahu Line Dancers and
the Aloha Line Dancers Association
June 4–5, 2015
Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse, Waikiki
2 days of workshops, dancing and exhibitions.
Costs only $5 per person.

Line Dancing — it’s not just country, or confined to local Honky Tonk. Heck! Seniors are line dancing to all their favorite tunes! A number of studies extoll the benefits of line dancing for seniors: low impact exercise that can improve cardio-vascular health, muscle tone and strength is one. I just learned that it also…
Companion Program Helps Aging in Place

The importance of independence is ever apparent especially as we age. The Senior Companion Program is a vital community-based support service that enables frail kupuna to remain independent and live in their homes. The Senior Companion Program is under the Department of Human Services and sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Program recruits and trains senior volunteers to provide families and caregivers much needed time off. The companions also accompany kupuna to medical appointments and grocery shopping, provide light meal preparation and assist with other needs.

Ellen helps Gerrine look over papers.

The Senior Companion Program hopes to extend its reach on all islands by recruiting kupuna 55 years and older on limited income, who are interested in providing supportive services to lonely, isolated and/or homebound seniors in our communities. Recruits who meet the income eligibility guidelines and other requirements receive a nontaxable stipend, meal allowance and reimbursement for transportation costs. The program is also seeks to partner with nonprofit agencies that provide services to kupuna living in our communities. Be a part of helping our kupuna age in place.

Senior Companion Program
Anne Holton, 808-832-0343 | 808-832-0340
www.tinyurl.com/SeniorCompanionProgram-HI

The importance of independence is ever apparent especially as we age. The Senior Companion Program is a vital community-based support service that enables frail kupuna to remain independent and live in their homes. The Senior Companion Program is under the Department of Human Services and sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The…
Afraid to Downsize? Get Organized First!

As Realtors, Certified Aging in Place Specialists and Senior Real Estate Specialists, we help our clients connect with professionals who can help them downsize to a more manageable home. Often clients in large homes want to simplify their lifestyle. But one look at accumulated belongings in every closet, drawer and cubby hole makes it clear that they cannot make the move on their own. Left unattended, clutter continues to grow, and can become a fire hazard or home for pests.

You can learn do-it-yourself methods to systematically purge your clutter, at your own pace. Or, you can hire professionals to help you. Either way, decluttering your home gives you the freedom and ease to move to smaller, more manageable accommodations: a smaller house without stairs, a condominium where you don’t have yard work or perhaps a full-service retirement community.

To learn more about decluttering and other topics related to seniors and real estate, consider attending a free seminar hosted by LIST Sotheby’s Senior Concierge:

May 2, 2015 — Decluttering, Downsizing And Selling Your Current Home

Presenter: Christina & Yumi Laney

They will cover downsizing your home.

June 27, 2015 — Aging-In-Place, Caregivers & Fall Prevention

Preparing your home for Independent Living.

For more information, registration (seating is limited) and a 2015 schedule of free seminars, please call 808-282-1399.

List Sotheby’s International Realty

808-282-1399 | Seniors@LaneyRE.com

www.laneyre.com.

As Realtors, Certified Aging in Place Specialists and Senior Real Estate Specialists, we help our clients connect with professionals who can help them downsize to a more manageable home. Often clients in large homes want to simplify their lifestyle. But one look at accumulated belongings in every closet, drawer and cubby hole makes it clear…
Hiking for Health, or Just For Pure Joy

Hiking is a great activity for seniors! I’m 72 and really enjoy it. Several of my fellow hikers are in their upper 70’s and are still going strong. One, at 83, still hikes five miles on the beach several times a week.

Some people hike mainly for exercise and walk vigorously hoping to work up a good sweat. Others prefer a more leisurely pace and stop often to take pictures, enjoying their commune with nature. While you can see much from your car as you drive along the highways, you can only see the finer details of nature while walking. And there are many sights not available from your car, such as hidden waterfalls, moss covered trees, and the colorful hills in the center of Haleakala Crater.

You can choose from a wide variety of hikes ranging from easy to difficult. On the easy end of the scale are simple beach walks or strolls along scenic country roads. My favorite Maui hike, moderately strenuous, is the Pipiwai Trail within Haleakala National Park. It has a wonderful stretch of bamboo forest with three-inch thick stalks, 50 feet high. The 11 mile Haleakala Crater hike may be difficult, but well worth the effort. Scenery within the crater is wonderful and truly otherworldly. While 20-somethings may do this hike in four hours, I myself plan on at least eight hours.

Bob Chang, Bev Brill, Ginny Kiick and Diana Douglas of Mauna Ala Hiking Club take a welcome rest in Haleakala Crater.

There are several books that list hikes in Hawai‘i, but it is even better to find local groups to hike with that can provide guidance and companionship.

You can join meetup.com on the internet to find hiking groups in your area. Sierra Club, www.sierraclubhawaii.com/groups.php, leads hikes on all four main islands. Contact the hike leader to make sure the hike is right for you.

Never hike alone on isolated trails; if you slip and injure yourself, you could be in serious trouble. Wear proper shoes and clothing, hat and sunscreen. Bring a snack and lots of water. While cell phones won’t work in some areas, they can help you out of trouble in others.

Hiking is a great activity for seniors! I’m 72 and really enjoy it. Several of my fellow hikers are in their upper 70’s and are still going strong. One, at 83, still hikes five miles on the beach several times a week. Some people hike mainly for exercise and walk vigorously hoping to work up…
Escape the Ordinary This Summer

Ahhh, summer is almost here! We all look forward to summer for time to relax, recharge, explore, spend more time with family and friends, or perhaps carve out more quality time to ourselves to do what we enjoy the most.

Join the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) this summer to do all of those things by signing up for our 2015 Summer Reading Programs. It’s not only for kids, we have a reading program for everyone including Adults (18 years and older), Teens (middle through high school) as well as Children (pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade). Simply visit your local public library and register beginning May 31. By popular demand, this summer our reading programs will all run for seven weeks beginning May 3 –July 18.

Adults and kids alike enjoy a COOL summer in Hawaii State Public Libraries.

Our reading programs will celebrate heroes of all kinds. Participants in the Adult Summer Reading Program will be challenged to “Escape the Ordinary” in stories about heroes, superheroes, and extraordinary people, places and activities. By finishing at least one book a week, readers will be eligible to receive reading incentives and a chance to win a free lucky drawing for an eReader. Our libraries will also offer special programs featuring performance, musical artists and activities that will engage and delight the entire family. For more program information and all library schedules visit www.librarieshawaii.org. Our Summer Reading Program offers adults the opportunity to have fun, explore new interests, and be encouraged to try new literary genres for their own reading and learning enjoyment. If participating as a family, parents and grandparents can provide good reading models for children to follow and all can share in dedicated quality family time to bond and enjoy reading together without the distractions of electronic gadgets.

This summer of library fun is provided free of charge, courtesy of the Friends of the Library of Hawaii and other generous community partners who support and encourage reading and learning at our Hawaii public libraries on O‘ahu and all neighbor islands.

In addition, please visit www.librarieshawaii.org to see our latest electronic resources during our Summer Reading Program, including Wi-Fi (during public service hours), eBooks, audiobooks, eMagazines, learn foreign languages, website courses, hundreds of online courses ranging from health to computer basic training, and website access to create frequently used civil (family, consumer and housing law) legal forms. All you need is your valid HSPLS library card! We’ll see you at Summer Reading Program!

Hawaii State Public Library System
808-831-6878 | lds@librarieshawaii.org
www.librarieshawaii.org

Ahhh, summer is almost here! We all look forward to summer for time to relax, recharge, explore, spend more time with family and friends, or perhaps carve out more quality time to ourselves to do what we enjoy the most. Join the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) this summer to do all of those…
Four Myths About Kidney Disease

What do you know about kidney disease? Are you sure that what you heard is correct? Here are 4 common errors:

Myth 1: Kidney disease is rare

One in seven adults in Hawai‘i has kidney disease and one in two are at risk for the disease. High blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney failure, and being over 60 are major risk factors. So is being Asian, Pacific Islander, African-American, Hispanic, or American Indian.

Myth 2: You’ll know if you get kidney disease

Most people who have kidney disease don’t know it, because the early stages of kidney disease do not usually produce any symptoms. To learn if you have kidney disease, get tested. Once you are diagnosed there are many steps you can take to reduce the progression of the disease.

Myth 3: People at risk can’t do anything

Not everyone at risk will get kidney disease. You can help protect your kidneys. Eat healthy, get regular exercise, control blood pressure and blood sugar, keep a healthy weight, quit smoking, and don’t overuse pain medications like ibuprofen.

Myth 4: Dialysis is the only treatment

Early stage kidney disease is usually managed with medication, exercise, and diet. Some people diagnosed early can slow progression and enjoy a normal lifestyle. Dialysis or kidney transplant is only needed if kidney disease progresses to kidney failure.

National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii
808-589-5976 | jeff@kidneyhi.org
For Planned Giving: www.kidneyhawaii.org
Main: www.kidneyhi.org | www.kidney.org

What do you know about kidney disease? Are you sure that what you heard is correct? Here are 4 common errors: Myth 1: Kidney disease is rare One in seven adults in Hawai‘i has kidney disease and one in two are at risk for the disease. High blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney…
The Magic of “Stardust”

Alex Haley, author of “Roots: The Saga of an American Family” once wrote:

“Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.”

In Hawai‘i, kupuna play an active role in the family and raising our next generation. Schools are tapping into this senior resource with programs that bring grandparents to campus.

A 2011 study by BYU Department of Family Life showed that with grandparents involved in their daily lives, children are more social, more engaged in school and more likely to show care and compassion for people outside their immediate family and friends.

Assets School is dedicated to helping students with learning differences achieve their fullest potential in a student-centered, nurturing and accepting atmosphere, with an individualized, integrated learning environment that instills confidence and resilience in each student.

4th grader Zach Ihara enjoys his family at Kupuna Day — grandparents retired U.S.Army Colonel Les Ihara, Grandma Shirley, and Dad Percy Ihara.

Assets places a strong emphasis on the importance of family. We host Kupuna Day to honor the wisdom, respect and aloha that our kupuna embody and share with us. Our students’ eyes lit up with excitement and pride as they introduced their school, work, teachers and friends to their guests. The children’s glee reminded me that the “stardust” comes from a special relationship that began at home, in their formative years.

This day, students, kupuna, and school staff enjoyed breakfast together. Later they spent time creating art together. Students performed a hula to “E Ku‘u Tutu (My Grandmother),” a vintage song popularized by Genoa Keawe and her Hula Maids. Kupuna then visited classes for activities with students. We had an incredible morning together.

Mahalo to all the kupuna! We thank you for your guidance, unconditional love and brilliant, remarkable “stardust.”

Alex Haley, author of “Roots: The Saga of an American Family” once wrote: “Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.” In Hawai‘i, kupuna play an active role in the family and raising our next generation. Schools are tapping into this senior resource…

Category: Articles

Myth 1: Kidney disease is rare

Myth 2: You’ll know if you get kidney disease

Myth 3: People at risk can’t do anything

Myth 4: Dialysis is the only treatment