Category: Articles

  • Striving for Peace 80 Years After WWII

    This year marks 80 years since World War II ended. To me, this is a time to reflect on the horrors of war and remind ourselves to take steps to resolve conflict without violence. Hawai‘i is in a unique position as the steward of two icons of WWII history. The USS Arizona Memorial, a powerful…

  • Benefits of Using Artificial Intelligence, Part I

    In this two-part series, the benefits, risks and how seniors can reduce the possibility of being negatively impacted by artificial intelligence (AI) will be explored, beginning here by examining how AI can significantly enhance the lives of seniors by promoting independence, improving health management and providing companionship and support. HOW DOES AI WORK? AI learns…

  • Why Seniors Should Keep Working

    Retirement isn’t one-size-fits-all. For many seniors in Hawai‘i and beyond, continuing to work—whether full-time, part-time or on a volunteer basis—offers benefits that extend far beyond a paycheck. Staying in the workforce can sharpen the mind, support physical health and bring daily structure that gives life meaning. Stay Mentally Sharp Just as vital as mental stimulation…

  • Staying in the Driver’s Seat

    After receiving a well-worded summons from the Department of Motor Vehicles stating that at my age, I needed to take the road test to renew my driving license, I kept a low profile, hoping it would go away. My 80th birthday was fast approaching. I pictured this uniformed wiseacre 30-something yelling, “I said left Mrs.…

  • Averting Hawai‘i’s Caregiver Crisis

    The findings of a recent Columbia University study—that Hawai‘i is a high-risk state for a family caregiver shortage—should come as no surprise to the estimated 154,000 family caregivers who reside here. AARP estimates that Hawai‘i’s family caregivers put in 144 million hours of unpaid care a year to loved ones in Hawai‘i. If they were…

  • Hawai‘i Honors Its Senior Volunteers

    During National Older Americans Month each May, Hawai‘i’s four county Area Agencies on Aging receive nominations from the public for Outstanding Older Americans known for their volunteer accomplishments. A man and a woman from each county are chosen to be honored. This year’s theme, Flip the Script on Aging, focused on transforming how society perceives,…

  • Protecting Your Child’s Assets

    Consider creating a trust to hold your child’s inheritance. Whether you are married or a single parent, consider how to ensure that your hard-earned assets are used properly for the benefit of your child, and not misused or taken away. Minor children cannot own assets, so if a minor is named as a beneficiary of…

  • DIY Estate Planning

    The problem with do-it-yourself estate plans is they often don’t work in the real world. An effective plan involves far more than a set of documents—even very well-drawn documents that would stand up in any court in the land, as they say in the commercials. But why would you want your estate plan to have…

  • Downsizing Your Home in Retirement

    If you are approaching retirement or are already there, you may be considering downsizing your home. It’s a big decision, with ramifications for both your finances and lifestyle. As you think about downsizing, here are some things to keep in mind: Decide if a move makes sense. You can expect your needs and priorities to…

  • SSA Benefits Toolkits Explained

    We’ve released new resources to help you better understand Social Security benefits. We’ve designed easy-to-use toolkits to provide education about our programs for children and our benefits for families after the death of a loved one. Our School Professional and Survivor Benefits toolkits are downloadable PDFs that include ready-to-go communications, such as sample email blasts,…

  • Recreation, Leisure & Assistive Technology

    Recreational activities provide a wide range of benefits for seniors, significantly contributing to their physical health, mental sharpness and emotional well-being. Engaging in leisure activities helps maintain physical fitness, stimulates cognitive function and fosters emotional resilience. Additionally, recreation offers seniors valuable opportunities to form and strengthen social connections, promoting a strong sense of community and…

  • How to Find the Right Senior Care Home

    Gen Xers may find themselves helping parents age in place at home or at a senior care facility. Finding the right senior care home requires careful planning, research and consideration of a variety of factors: Choosing a senior care home for your parents is a major decision. But after considering these questions and doing your…