Author Scott Makuakane reflects on Generations Magazine, now in its tenth year.
Q: Hawai‘i has the largest older population in the country. How do you think our seniors are currently living and thriving?
Hawai‘i is generally a retirement-friendly state. Taxation of retirement income is relatively benign. Our warm climate and surrounding ocean allow ample opportunities for year-round outdoor exercise and connecting with nature. Our culture is generally inclusive and promotes venues for social interaction. All of these factors form a foundation for a thriving senior population that can enjoy fulfillment and longevity. The key is recognizing the treasure trove and taking full advantage of it.
We have clients in their 70s who are very active in exercise and social groups. One of them recently told us about her hero — a woman in her 90s who attends her Zumba class. Other clients in their 80s are fulfilling their bucket list travel fantasies. It’s encouraging to engage with people like these, who view age as mostly a state of mind and relish each step in their life’s journey. They say 60 is the new 40, but there is no reason that we can’t extend that to 70 or 80 or 90. Sometimes health does not cooperate, but we can do so much proactively to extend the quality of life we enjoy far longer than past generations have.
Q: What important information or trends do seniors and their families need right now to enjoy better quality of life?
Seniors need to take advantage of all that our community offers. Resources are there and it is important to know where to find them. That is part of the beauty of Generations. Between the magazine, the radio and TV exposure, and the website, much of what is so good and senior-friendly about Hawai‘i is showcased and thereby made available to seniors and their families.
Specifically, a key to quality of life is being connected with other people. Technology can play a huge role here. A voice, a video image or an email can fortify the senior soul. So attaining tech-savviness can be a valuable asset. Seniors who believe “you can teach an old dog new tricks” embrace technology and are more connected than ever before. Of course, technology has a dark side, and people are victimized in Hawai‘i every day by internet and telephone scammers. That’s where family can intervene and help make sure bad things aren’t happening in their ‘ohana.
Q: Active baby boomers are now seniors. How do you think they will change the way we look at a “frail senior?”
For many of us, seniors are no longer “them.” They are “us.” One thing I have come to appreciate about the Hawaiian culture is that gray hair is often appreciated, respected and given deference. You see this in informal encounters in public places, as well as in more institutionalized settings, such as the various programs and resources that our state and county governments and nonprofit organizations provide. Most people seem to have an awareness of the fact that we enjoy the quality of life we do in large part because of the contributions of previous generations. And they appreciate how current generations are setting the stage for those yet to come.
Throughout Hawai‘i, the word “kūpuna” means ancestor or grandparent. “Frail” is not part of that definition. A kūpuna is an honored elder, a living treasure who has acquired enough life experience to become a leader and teacher. Kūpuna before us have guided us with their wisdom. They are a rich source of experience, knowledge, guidance, strength and inspiration for the next generations.
This is not the case everywhere. On a recent business trip to Boston, I had a brief conversation with a 20-something-year-old. We told him about the word “kūpuna” and asked him what the local term was. Without missing a beat, he said, “I don’t know. F—ing old people, I guess.”
Lucky we live Hawai‘i.
Hawai‘i is generally a retirement-friendly state. Taxation of retirement income is relatively benign. Our warm climate and surrounding ocean allow ample opportunities for year-round outdoor exercise and connecting with nature. Our culture is generally inclusive and promotes venues for social interaction. All of these factors form a foundation for a thriving senior population that can…
Dawn Calpito of Kalākaua Gardens, Kathy Wyatt of Hale Hau‘oli Hawaii, and other organizations and companies attending a Sept. 17 breakfast event
To better serve Hawai‘i’s senior community, Generations Magazine held a networking event for its partners on Sept. 17 at 15 Craigside, where a delicious breakfast was provided, thanks to Kind2Kūpuna and Margaret Wong of Copeland Insurance Group. Generations Magazine partners met, greeted and learned about each other, making contacts with those who support and serve kūpuna and their families. Generations Magazine contributors and advertisers are not only experts in and on Hawai‘i’s senior community, but have become valuable resources for each other through GM.
The Kind2Kūpuna business network
The goal of the Kind2Kūpuna, an age-friendly business program that is part of the Mayor’s Age-Friendly Honolulu initiative and supported by Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, is to raise awareness and provide networking and recognition opportunities for businesses who pledge to be “age-friendly” and support the needs of older employees and customers. The presentation by GM partner Kind2Kūpuna was well received — GM partners who attended signed a pledge and became part of the Kind2Kūpuna business network.
Amazing Care Network • Cardax Inc. • Copeland Insurance Group • First Light Home Care • Generations Magazine • Good Samaritan Society – Pohai Nani • GYMGUYZ – Urban Honolulu • Hale Hau‘oli Hawaii • Hawaii Memory Friends • Home Care by ALTRES Medical • Humana • Islands Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation • Kala¯kaua Gardens • Keller Williams Honolulu – The Ihara Team • Kimberly A Cooper Insurance LLC • Ki ¯na¯ ‘Ole Estate • Kupuna Education Center • Needles of Hope • Ohana Hearing Care • Phiten Hawaii • Plan Advisors Hawaii • Prime Physical Therapy, Inc. • Right at Home • Senior Move Managers & De-Clutter Hawaii • Soderholm Bus & Mobility • The Caregiver Foundation • The Okada Group • Vacations Hawaii
To better serve Hawai‘i’s senior community, Generations Magazine held a networking event for its partners on Sept. 17 at 15 Craigside, where a delicious breakfast was provided, thanks to Kind2Kūpuna and Margaret Wong of Copeland Insurance Group. Generations Magazine partners met, greeted and learned about each other, making contacts with those who support and serve…
Food, the source of life, is central to our Hawai‘i mixed plate of cultures. The fine-dining spots of Waikiki and golf and spa resort eateries throughout the islands accommodate the most discerning palates. In plantation days, Western and Eastern cuisines met at potluck tables. “M-m-m! That’s good! How you make that?” Those words began a century of what foodies now call “Fusion Cuisine,” combinations of exotic ingredients and earthy basics, mixed cooking styles that create an endless variety of tastes and textures. This is what we love. Destinations throughout the world have food traditions — but none have as many as Hawai‘i.
Hawaii Foodbankʻs donations to Dynamic Compassions in Action/Ohana Produce Plus and DCIA/OPP Food Distribution Program at Waimanalo District Park
Naturally, the gift of food starts with fishers, farmers and ranchers, whose wisdom and toil produce an abundant harvest from the ʻaīna. We know how food gets distributed at the market to people who can afford to buy it. For those who can’t, every day, a network of Hawai‘i nonprofits work together to collect food donations and deliver them to the hungry. They serve seniors on a fixed income, low-income families, disabled persons and homeless persons who may not be getting enough food to sustain health or the energy to work. They help children who may not be getting the nutrition they need to thrive and do well in school. This story explores some benevolent organizations in Hawai‘i that are working hard to distribute food to persons in need. We encourage our readers to celebrate all the volunteers, food producers, wholesale and retail outlets, food service professionals and administrators fighting food insecurity and hunger in Hawai‘i.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Meals on Wheels
HUNGER IN HAWAI‘I IS AN ECONOMIC ISSUE
The United States produces more food crops and livestock than any other nation, yet one in six persons goes without sustenance at least one day a week. Food insecurity affects American families with low income, fixed-income seniors over 65, disabled persons and the homeless population. In Hawai‘i, the poverty rate dropped from 12.5 percent of the population in 2014 to 9.5 percent in 2017 (the latest published statistics). Poverty and anticipation of falling into it are at the heart of food insecurity.
Food insecurity is a lack of certainty that you can afford enough food to keep you and your family from going without meals. It can be caused by anything that competes for dollars needed for food. It can happen in households where all individuals are employed. In deprived neighborhoods without local food stores, food insecurity is always present. For seniors and disabled persons, mobility problems, cost of medication and availability of assistive care can lead to food insecurity. Resorting to eating less nutritious and smaller portions of food is a common method of making ends meet when bills for housing and prescriptions are due. Add to that the high cost of living in Hawai‘i — the highest in the nation by a good margin — and economic pressures are intense. Experts estimate that 35 percent of all persons over the age of 65 have protein deficiencies and worry about their ability to live independently. It’s easy to see that identifying reliable, free food resources can relieve insecurity, improve health and promote well-being.
Aloha Harvest picking up donations
AN INCREASING NUMBER OF SENIORS WILL EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY
MealsonWheelsAmerica.org reported that 10 percent of seniors live in poverty and face increasing levels of food insecurity. Baby boomers are retiring at a rapid rate, so our fixed-income population is growing. The fastest-growing age group in Hawai‘i is seniors over 80 years old. Seniors in Hawai‘i have the most extended longevity in the U.S., so the number of homebound seniors and disabled persons will also continue to rise. Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels (HMoW) reports that the median age of their clients in 2018 was 86 years for females and 83 years for males. The organization served 99,531 meals to 800 homebound clients. HMoW clients, mostly Asian and female, are unable to shop or prepare meals, and receive limited social contact and caregiving services. Overall food assistance to seniors in Hawai‘i amounted to over 700,000 meals for 6,300 persons. Fortunately, Hawai‘i food assistance charities and agencies that were developed decades ago have the systems, reputation and capacity to expand their services. But expanding requires more money and volunteers. These charities can only continue to grow with help from federal, state and local funding, private donations and people with a heart to donate their time.
Hawaii Foodbank preparing donated food to distribute
WHERE DOES HAWAI‘I FOOD COME FROM?
Food production in our state is not sufficient to meet all our consumption. In 2012, The Office of Business Economic Development and Tourism (OBEDT) and Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) reported that we import 85 percent of our food from outside the state. Our food supply would only last 10 days if a disaster shut down shipping. Therefore, OBEDT and HDOA recommended a plan to increase food security by increasing local production. It may be surprising to find out that we don’t import only frozen foods and spam. Bananas, mangoes, lemons, every kind of vegetable you can name and even taro come from other places. Hawai‘i also relies on “the barge” to bring ingredients for bakeries and restaurants, packaged goods for convenience stores, food for school cafeterias, hotel kitchens, foodservice companies and food processing plants.
A good example of our food supply is Love’s Bakery, which siloes enough flour for two week’s production so that it will be able to make baked goods — even if a disaster delays ships. The Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Federation and Farmers Union United, and the University of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture extension service encourage farmers in rural areas to increase edible crops. On Maui, Mahi Pono LLC plans to grow food crops on 41,000 acres of former Pu‘unēnē Mill sugar lands. Supermarkets offer Moloka‘i sweet potatoes and locally grown tomatoes and fruits that were once only available at neighborhood farmers’ markets. A new generation of poi eaters demands taro products in local groceries. Now that revised sugar mill water diversions allow more normal streamflow, Maui taro farms that were nearly extinct a generation ago, are revitalizing old patches. A growing source of fresh produce is rural homeowners who have orchards and grow small plots of vegetables. In times of high yield, these “gentleman farmers” donate produce to local charities.
Hawaii Meals on Wheels preparing individual meals.
Another positive trend is increasing consumer demand for fresh and organically grown fruits and vegetables. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Federation and Farmers Union United are helping local farmers develop small and boutique farms. Locally grown produce tends to be harvested when ripe, yielding the highest concentration of beneficial nutrients, robust texture and flavor. Hawai‘i farmers can deliver local ingredients that tell a story, showcase the chef’s creativity and add nutrition into their menus,
DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED
Throughout our state, many charities receive and deliver donated food to persons who need it — food pantries, soup kitchens, foodbanks of staples and nonperishable food, meal plan cafeterias, delivered hot meals programs and farmer markets. Support comes from public funds and private donations. Thousands of happy volunteers with good hearts collect, sort, package, redistribute, or serve the food to tens of thousands of clients. These agencies and charities manage the logistics of regular food distribution with a remarkably small but highly skilled and dedicated staff. It would be impossible to name every group, but taking a look at the four largest on O‘ahu reveals how food redistribution and food recovery operations work. In addition to HMoW, Lanakila Meals on Wheels, Hawaii Foodbank and Aloha Harvest are meeting much of the need on O‘ahu.
Lanakila Meals on Wheels kitchen crew.
HOW DOES MEALS ON WHEELS WORK?
■ Hawaii Meals on Wheels
The simple image of an elderly lady accepting a tray containing a hot meal from a Hawaii Meals on Wheels’ (HMoW) volunteer is accurate but far from the big picture of all this agency accomplishes. HMoW partners with 10 kitchens in hospitals and nursing homes on O’ahu to distribute hot meals once a day to 800 homebound clients. Over 400 HMoW volunteers deliver about 100,000 hot meals each year on 53 routes. The areas are close to the commercial kitchen partners so that hot foods arrive hot and cold foods, cold. Poor nutrition and isolation are two of the biggest problems facing the homebound. These stressors can lead to heart disease and cognitive decline — even shorten life as much as a smoking habit or alcoholism.
Lanakila Meals on Wheels packing individual meals
HMoW meals must be customized to the client’s medical needs and dietary restrictions by certified dietitians, and designed for taste by professional chefs. Some examples are low-salt, high-fat or low-cholesterol meals. Patients with diabetes or kidney disease need special meals. Others need pureed foods or thickened liquids.
HMoW volunteers take to the road every day, delivering the gift of food between 9am and noon. Over time, they develop relationships with their clients and become an extra pair of eyes to observe how clients are doing. Volunteers may be the first people to report a client’s illness, change in behavior or serious injury. Any senior who needs a hot meal each day and is unable to warm a meal on their own may apply to the Hawai‘i Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for food assistance by calling its statewide intake number: 808-768-7700. Food-insecure clients qualify if they are homebound and unable to shop and cook their own meals. Because the number of requests continues to rise, HMoW needs cash donations and volunteers to sustain and grow this valuable program.
Hawaii Foodbank: Church of the Crossroads Donor Tour
If you wish to volunteer at Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels, call its main number: 808-988-6747. You may make donations by mail (P.O. Box 61194, Honolulu, HI 96839) or online at www.hmow.org.
■ Lanakila Meals on Wheels
Lanakila Pacific has provided meals to homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities through its Lanakila Meals on Wheels program for over 48 years. As the largest and only island-wide provider of home delivered meals, Lanakila Meals on Wheels delivers both hot and frozen meals to individuals, six days a week, Monday through Saturday. Most individuals’ meals are paid for through state and federal funds, or as part of their Medicaid benefits. If able, families can also self pay for their meals or possibly use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to pay for their home-delivered meals (Lanakila Meals on Wheels is an approved SNAP vendor).
Hawaii Foodbank: Dynamic Compassion in Action
In Lanakila Pacific’s Kupuna Wellness Centers, seniors gather Monday to Friday for wellness activities and lunch, focusing on healthy living and enjoying older adulthood. Activities include exercise programs, outings, guest speakers and games. Seniors enjoy visiting with friends, learning new things and having fun. Lanakila Kupuna Wellness Center locations on O‘ahu include Pohulani Elderly Apartments on Coral Street, Wahiawa¯ District Park on Kilani Street, Waianae District Park on Farrington Highway and West Loch Elderly Village on Renton Road. It also partners with four other senior centers to provide meals to all seniors 60 years and older, though each location may have some additional requirements. Partner centers include Mō‘ili‘ili Community Center on South King Street, Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center on Lanakila Avenue, Unity House on Pauahi Street and Kokua Kalihi Valley on Linapuni Street.
Aloha Harvest receiving donations from various vendors
Lanakila Pacific runs two commercial kitchens that prepare the meals. Each meal contains one-third of the recommended daily allowances and consists of an entree, starch, vegetable, fruit, margarine and bread, and low-fat milk. Lanakila Meals on Wheels menu items are developed by dietitians and local chefs to ensure that they meet or exceed USDA nutritional guidelines while incorporating the flavors we all love.
Members within a short drive of the kitchen may receive hot meals. Those who are able to warm their meals can opt for frozen meals.
Aloha Harvest receives surplus foods from restaurants
The Lanakila Meals on Wheels program relies on a dedicated team of volunteers to help with packing and delivering meals and supporting the seniors in the Kupuna Wellness Centers. Relationships the volunteers build with the program participants can feel as close as family — and like family, the Lanakila Kupuna Wellness Centers throw holiday parties to celebrate. For many years, Coldwell Banker has supported the Thanksgiving party with volunteers, entertainment, gifts for attendees and a monetary donation. Lanakila Meals on Wheels delivers a traditional Thanksgiving meal and an emergency food care package to participants on Thanksgiving Day; a Hawaiian meal and a Christmas gift on Christmas Day.
“We know that many people on O‘ahu are relying on us for their only or primary source of nutrition. Having reliable access to healthy food doesn’t just fill the tummy and reduce hunger, but it helps improve many chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and other diet-related illnesses. “We want people to have access to nutritious food to help keep them healthy, as well as provide friendly visits and wellness checks to support their ability to live independently with dignity,” says Lori Lau, director of Lanakila Meals on Wheels.
The largest foodbank in the state is Hawaii Foodbank, a certified member of Feeding America that screens and stores perishable and nonperishable food, and then distributes through approximately 200 charitable agencies on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i. The amount of food donated and distributed trends with the economy. Currently, Hawai‘i Foodbank serves one in eight people, including kūpuna, keiki and families struggling to make ends meet.
Hawaii Foodbank also partners with The Food Basket to serve Hawai‘i County and Maui Food Bank to serve Maui County. It is a partner agency of Aloha United Way and Kaua‘i United Way.
Small, private and backyard farm donations
Ron Mizutani, who directs Hawaii Foodbank, says, “We have many senior clients and senior volunteers. Currently, about 1,900 seniors over 60 on O‘ahu qualify for the Senior Food Box Program. Kūpuna who meet income guidelines can be certified to receive one box of dry milk, cheese, cereal, peanut butter, rice, canned meat, fruits and vegetables per month. We also offer kūpuna fresh produce through the senior farmers market nutrition program. Each qualified senior receives $50 worth of vouchers to use in exchange for fruits and vegetables. Six thousand seniors participated last year.”
Shoppers can help people in need of food during the holidays by taking part in the annual Check-Out Hunger program in supermarkets on O‘ahu, Maui and Kaua‘i from now through Jan. 15, 2020, and on Hawai‘i Island from Dec. 1 through Jan. 31, 2020. Participating stores have displays with green tear pads. You may choose to buy breakfast for a child for a week, a month of lunches for a senior or a month of family dinners. Tear off the coupon and give it to the checker to scan with your groceries.
“Our motto is ‘Hawaii Foodbank provides food so that no one in our family goes hungry,’” says Ron. “The easiest way for people to find available services on O‘ahu is to dial 2-1-1, Aloha United Way’s social service hotline.”
Ron says they always need more volunteers; many of their 6,000 volunteers are seniors. To sign up, call 808-954-7866 or email volunteer@ hawaiifoodbank.org. To make a cash donation, visit www.hawaiifoodbank.org/donate or mail a check to Hawai‘i Foodbank, 2611 Kilihau St., Honolulu, HI 96819-2021.
■ Aloha Harvest Food Rescue Program
You may not be as familiar with Aloha Harvest because they rescue and redistribute food products before they outdate or become waste. They pick up excess prepared and perishable food from restaurants and retail stores and deliver them the same day to charities who feed the hungry. For 20 years, Aloha Harvest has been soliciting donations of prepared, perishable and hot foods, and trucking them to soup kitchens, local food pantries and other outlets that distribute them to the hungry.
Phil Acosta, executive director of Aloha Harvest, says, “There is an unhealthy interdependence among basic needs for housing, healthcare and food. All are necessary, but big-ticket needs get more attention; when money is scarce, food is the easiest thing to cut back. Unfortunately, without food, we can’t stay healthy enough to work and pay the rent. The way we look at it is — feeding the hungry helps all three needs.”
Phil, the operations manager of Mele Pepa Latu, and community resource coordinator Leslie Pyo conduct logistics and dispatch for six trucks that last year redistributed over 1.7 million pounds of rescued food on O‘ahu. They warehouse none. Every day starts and ends with empty trucks! Their food donations come from hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores and a few farmers. They deliver packaged sandwiches, baked goods, pans of prepared foods from Waiki ¯ki ¯ hotel kitchens and O‘ahu restaurants to 170 outlets — shelters, soup kitchens with protection from liability under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.
Before starting Aloha Harvest, Phil ran a family nonprofit for homeless persons. He estimates that 475 million pounds of excess perishable and prepared food go to waste every year on O‘ahu. Therefore, Aloha Harvest is just scratching the surface of food rescue in Hawai‘i. Not all the foods they distribute are destined to become waste. Some are very desirable excess products donated to help food-insecure people. But Phil estimates that up to 40 percent of excess perishable food in Hawai‘i can be rescued and distributed.
“Hawai‘i has plenty of food to go around if we just redistribute the excess food that we don’t consume,” he says. His distribution model is efficient and low-cost. His goal in 2020 is to bring on more drivers, trucks and volunteers to expand their impact. Donations from farms, food service professionals, retailers and manufacturers are welcome every day. Charitable cash donations that pay salaries or insure and maintain delivery trucks may be made online at www.alohaharvest.org or by mail to Aloha Harvest, 3599 Wai‘alae Ave., Unit 23, Honolulu, HI 968816. Food professionals who wish to donate food may call Mele or Leslie at 808-537-6945.
SMALL CHARITIES FEEDING THE HUNGRY DESERVE OUR ATTENTION, TOO
■ Waste Not Want Not – Maui
Food distribution and food rescue strategies move abundance to people in need in small communities too. Melanie Kehaunani King runs a nonprofit on Maui called “Waste Not Want Not.” Small farmers and people who grow fruits and vegetables on their properties call Mel when they have excess yield or if fruits are the wrong size for the market. She harvests and hauls the produce to Hale Makua, a rehabilitation and long-term care facility, where they incorporate fresh produce into their foodservice menu. “We need volunteers and donations of fresh produce,” she says. “Folks on Maui with excess crops can just give me a call at 808-359-9103 to schedule a pickup.”
■ Key Project – Kahalu‘u Key Project is a cultural community organization in Kahalu‘u that is an outlet for both Hawai‘i Foodbank and Aloha Harvest. Key Project distributes bags of food twice a month and farms wetland taro that teen volunteers may harvest and take home for their families. For more information about community activities at Key Project, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.projectkey.org, email info@projectkey.org or call Kalai Kukahiko at 808-239-5777. Mail donations to Key Project, 47-200 Waihe‘e Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744.
■ Give it Fresh Today Produce Donation Project – Kaimuki
The Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Federation sponsors a farmers market at Kapiolani Community College, 4303 Diamond Head Road in Honolulu, every Tuesday afternoon from 4 to 7pm and Saturday morning from 7:30 to 11am. At the market, Give it Fresh Today solicits donations of vegetables and fruit for charities that feed the hungry. Stop by their booth to donate produce. For further information, email giveitfreshtoday@gmail.com.
The gift of food is a traditional value in Hawaii and community organizations that collect and give out food reduce food insecurity and help feed those in need earn our admiration and respect every day. The ones highlighted here are joined by many small volunteer and nonprofit food distribution efforts in your local community. Celebrate them.
This year, look for ways you can help them deliver the gift of food. Share this article with your family; if you suspect a neighbor of friend is food-insecure but too shy to ask for help, give them a copy. Put a food charity on your list of organizations to consider for donations of food, volunteer time or a cash donation. Together, we can make sure that nobody goes hungry.
We know how food gets distributed at the market to people who can afford to buy it. For those who can’t, every day, a network of Hawai‘i nonprofits work together to collect food donations and deliver them to the hungry. They serve seniors on a fixed income, low-income families, disabled persons and homeless persons who…
When purchasing items with a credit or debit card online – or over the counter – there are precautions you need to take.
● Use a credit card rather than a debit card. Under federal law, your personal liability for fraudulent charges on a credit card can’t exceed $50. But if a fraudster uses your debit card, you could be liable for $500 or more.
● Use a prepaid gift card if you don’t have a credit card. But be extra vigilant of emails requesting payment be made in gift cards. It’s ok if you are the one initiating the purchase. ● Keep the line of credit low for all cards.
● Do not use cards that are linked to an autopay billing account or accounts that receive scheduled payments or benefits, such as your retirement pension, investment dividends and social security benefits.
● Keep records of all your online transactions, including emails and delivery notifications.
● Check your financial statements weekly for unauthorized transactions; report them to your financial institution and law enforcement.
● Do not use your mobile phone to conduct financial transactions, such as checking your financial statements. Use your home computer and check to make sure your Wi-Fi is secured.
● Use the card’s chip technology instead of swiping. The chip makes it harder for the scammer to access account information compared to the data on the card’s magnetic strip.
In the last year, Americans received about 5 billion robocalls per month, up from the 2 billion a month just two years ago. Robocalls are automated calls made by a computer program, enabling the telemarketer or scammer on the other end to call multitudes of phone numbers in a short span of time.
It took me under five minutes of “Googling” to find a website and fill out a form to order robocalling software that I could use to dial hundreds of telephone numbers an hour.
These calls are often from unfamiliar phone numbers. Answering the phone will let robocallers know that there is a person associated with this number as opposed to an automated system.
Ignoring unfamiliar phone numbers, however, might not be enough to counter this problem, as robocallers have begun using technology that enables them to “spoof” or fake an incoming phone number that may appear to be more familiar. In other words, your caller ID device will indicate that the call is coming from an 808 area code when in actuality it could be from anywhere.
Robocalls are very prevalent today. Nearly 50% of all mobile phone calls are spam. Many of these calls are telemarketers hoping to sell a product, but some of these calls intend to scam money or personal information from the call recipient.
There are ways to reduce robocalls.
Android and iPhone users might find success with applications and services such as Robokiller or Nomorobo. Additionally, Google and Apple have been working on implementing anti-robocall features into their software.
Asking one’s cell phone carrier to block particular numbers is also a good strategy (a monthly fee may be charged).
Major carriers such as Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T all have features that might block or reduce robocalls.
Joining the National Do Not Call registry (DoNotCall.gov) may also reduce robocalls and also lets you file a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
But the most effective way to reduce robocalls is to never answer the phone. Let all phone calls go to voicemail, then assess them before returning the call, if appropriate.
This may not give you the satisfaction of yelling at the robocaller, but the number of unwanted calls you receive will decline.
In the last year, Americans received about 5 billion robocalls per month, up from the 2 billion a month just two years ago. Robocalls are automated calls made by a computer program, enabling the telemarketer or scammer on the other end to call multitudes of phone numbers in a short span of time. It took…
A frantic mother once called me after her daughter was injured in a ski accident. When she called the hospital to find out the status of her daughter, hospital personnel would’t release any information and didn’t allow her make decisions on her child’s behalf. Just imagine the stress this caused!
This situation is all too common. When a child leave for college, for example, in the eyes of the law, he or she is now an adult and parental rights cease. This fact is often overlooked.
Once individuals reach the age of majority — 18 in most states — parents are no longer entitled to see their child’s medical and financial records, or make decisions on their behalf. The law classifies them as adults with a legal right to privacy and to govern their own lives. As a result, it is important to help your children or grandchildren set up an estate plan. Few 18-year-olds consider the
need for an estate plan because most have little in the way of property.
But if a child were to lose the ability to make or communicate decisions, medical professionals and financial institutions may refuse to consult with or release information to the parents. An estate plan appoints trusted individuals to make decisions in the event the child becomes unable to do so.
A frantic mother once called me after her daughter was injured in a ski accident. When she called the hospital to find out the status of her daughter, hospital personnel would’t release any information and didn’t allow her make decisions on her child’s behalf. Just imagine the stress this caused! This situation is all too…
The people of Hawai‘i are generous with public charities. On the other hand, most of us do not have money to burn. The following are some good ideas about choosing where and how to give.
♦ DO YOUR HOMEWORK – The good works that charities do often overlap, and some charities are more effective than others. Websites like charitynavigator.org and charitywatch.org can help you compare established charities to find out, for example, how much of your gift will go to charitable work versus administrative and fundraising overhead. While it costs money to run a charity and it also costs money to raise money, if expenses exceed 25-percent of a charity’s revenue, ask why. If the charity cannot give you a good answer, you should consider giving elsewhere.
♦ DON’T SELL AN APPRECIATED ASSET TO MAKE A CASH – GIFT If you own Apple stock that you bought in 2000 for $2 per share, don’t sell it now at $200 per share to raise the cash to make a charitable gift. Although you will get a deduction for your cash gift, you will also be liable for capital gains tax on the difference between the $200 sale price of the stock and the $2 purchase price. You will have less after-tax cash to give the charity and your deduction will be limited to the amount of your gift. Instead, make a bigger gift and get a bigger deduction by giving the stock to the charity. The charity can then sell the stock without having to pay capital gains tax and you will get a deduction for the full fair market value of the stock at the time of the gift.
♦ MAKE GIFTS FROM YOUR IRAs – If you make your loved ones the beneficiaries of your traditional IRAs after you die, they may have to pay income tax on most of what they receive. However, if you make charities your beneficiaries, there will be no income tax. So to the extent you can, name charities as beneficiaries of your retirement plans and use your non-taxable assets for making gifts to loved ones.
If you have begun taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your traditional IRA, you can give up to $100,000 of your annual RMD to charity. Although these gifts are not deductible, you will end up paying less tax because the gifted portion of your RMD is not taxable.
As always, talk with your trusted advisors to find out how to make charitable giving a win-win for you and the charities you support.
The people of Hawai‘i are generous with public charities. On the other hand, most of us do not have money to burn. The following are some good ideas about choosing where and how to give.
Making financial decisions takes time, attention and energy at any age. In the case of elderly adults, it can become increasingly difficult to manage daily finances, particularly if their health is declining or they’re experiencing cognitive issues. If you’re providing support to aging parents — or plan to in the future — here is some advice on how to handle the situation and prepare for what’s to come.
Don’t wait to start talking about finances. While it may be uncomfortable to ask your parents about their finances, it’s essential you are familiar with their plans for care. Initially, emphasize that you are only looking for an overview. This first conversation can help set the groundwork for future discussions.
Create a contact list.If your parents have a sudden change in health that affects their ability to manage their own affairs, it’s important to have a plan. If you anticipate stepping in to handle bills, insurance claims or other financial tasks, start by asking your parents for a list of the professionals they work with and where their accounts are held. You may need to be an authorized user or power of attorney to be allowed access to certain accounts. Consult a lawyer to discuss what permissions may be necessary to enable you step in if the need arises.
Build a support network.Talk with siblings or other trusted family members about what a care plan could look like. While this conversation can be tough to initiate, it’s often easier to bring everyone together while your parents are still healthy and mentally competent. Discuss who can realistically provide support — in what way and at what cost. Proactively deciding who can drive your parents to doctor appointments, manage financial affairs, care for their home and handle other tasks can help reduce or avoid a strain on your time and energy down the road.
Know what choices exist. Even if they aren’t yet needed, explore the options and costs of various assisted living and memory care services. Check insurance policies to see if and how services might be covered. Determine whether their home or yours could be modified to provide amenities such as wheelchair access.
Know your rights at work.The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) allows covered employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to provide care for a family member with a serious health condition.1 Consult your human resources department to learn about policies for employees who are caring for a parent and how to initiate a claim. Many employers have access to resources and support groups to help you manage your responsibilities at home and at work.
Maintain momentum on your own financial goals.It’s prudent to look at your finances to see how much support you could provide (if it’s needed) without jeopardizing your own retirement and future healthcare needs.
For additional support, contact your financial advisor and lawyer.
Michael W. K. Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CLTC, CRPC ®, is a Private Wealth Advisor, Certified Financial Planner ™ practitioner with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 32 years.
Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser.
Making financial decisions takes time, attention and energy at any age. In the case of elderly adults, it can become increasingly difficult to manage daily finances, particularly if their health is declining or they’re experiencing cognitive issues. If you’re providing support to aging parents — or plan to in the future — here is some…
Q I’m trying to figure out how much to save for my retirement. Does the government offer any help with financial education?
A
Yes. For starters, you may want to find out what you can expect from Social Security with a visit to Social Security’s Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. The Financial Literacy and Education Commission has a website that can help you with the basics of financial education: www.mymoney.gov. Finally, you’ll want to check out the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which offers educational information on a number of financial matters, including mortgages, credit cards, retirement and other big decisions. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at www.consumerfinance.gov.
Q
Will my son be eligible to receive benefits on his retired father’s record while going to college?
A
No. At one time, Social Security did pay benefits to eligible college students. But the law changed in 1981. We now pay benefits only to students taking courses in grade 12 or below. Normally, benefits stop when children reach age 18, unless they are disabled. However, if children are still full-time students at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, benefits generally can continue until they graduate or until two months after they reach age 19, whichever comes first.
For questions, online applications or to make an appointment to visit a SSA office, call from 7am–5pm, Mon–Fri: 1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | www.socialsecurity.gov
I’m trying to figure out how much to save for my retirement. Does the government offer any help with financial education? Will my son be eligible to receive benefits on his retired father’s record while going to college?
From being a home caretaker, Nene went back to work for extra income. Her job as an Aloha Ambassador enabled her to spread aloha, meet people and make new friends.
Meaningful employment is one of the best ways to keep fit in every way as we age — socially, mentally and even physically. But some of Waikīkī Community Center’s clients had difficulty finding employment. Retirees also found that the way people look for work has changed significantly. Others felt employers didn’t want to hire them due to their age. Many wanted to change career paths entirely. Therefore, WCC started Back-to-Work Force, a free service employment program focused on adults 50 and over.
After retiring, John decided to take on a job—in addition to his honey-do list at home. He is now an Elite parking host and loving it.
The program helps match older workers with employment by updating their skills and by working with employers. The program provides a range of services for older workers — creating and updating resumes, online job search and application assistance, interview preparation and training referral. The program then matches clients with one or more of its 25-plus employer partners.
Meaningful employment is one of the best ways to keep fit in every way as we age — socially, mentally and even physically. But some of Waikīkī Community Center’s clients had difficulty finding employment. Retirees also found that the way people look for work has changed significantly. Others felt employers didn’t want to hire them…
Assistance is available for some people with limited income and assets who may be eligible for a program called “Extra Help.” It’s a Medicare health plan that assists in paying costs related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. This can include monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,900 per year. Many people qualify and don’t even know it.
You may qualify for this Low-Income Subsidy program available under Medicare Part D if:
• Your annual income and assets are below the eligibility thresholds, which may fluctuate from year to year. For the most up-to-date levels, visit www.Medicare.gov.
• Your annual income is higher than the limit, but you support family members who live in your home, or, if you live in Hawai‘i or Alaska.
• Social Security will mail you a notification if you are eligible. If you qualify for Extra Help but are not yet enrolled in Medicare Part D, you can enroll in a plan at that time. Call your licensed insurance agent to select the plan that best suits your needs.
Assistance is available for some people with limited income and assets who may be eligible for a program called “Extra Help.” It’s a Medicare health plan that assists in paying costs related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. This can include monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. Extra Help is estimated to be worth…
Many seniors approaching retirement age have not built up adequate savings in their Social Security accounts. By finding employment before taking SS withdrawals, seniors can build up accounts and ensure a healthier retirement payments when the time comes.
The Honolulu Community Action Program Inc. (HCAP) administers the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) for low-income seniors who meet the program’s eligibility requirements: 55 or older, unemployed, resident of O‘ahu, with an income at 125% of the federal poverty guideline. It’s a federally-funded program under Title V of the Older Americans Act.
The primary focus and goal of SCSEP is to provide the participant the opportunity to gain employment skills through part-time, subsidized, hands-on training and transition them into regular unsubsidized, full-time employment.
Program participants are also eligible for a subsidized medical examination (up to $50 per year) and can earn Social Security credits during their placement in a job in thier community.
Many seniors approaching retirement age have not built up adequate savings in their Social Security accounts. By finding employment before taking SS withdrawals, seniors can build up accounts and ensure a healthier retirement payments when the time comes. The Honolulu Community Action Program Inc. administers the Senior Community Service Employment Program for low-income seniors who…
Author Scott Makuakane reflects on Generations Magazine, now in its tenth year.
