Category: Articles

Benefits of Exercise for Our Kūpuna

Regular exercise and physical activity can help to prevent disease, improve mental health, increase energy, reduce the risk of falling and much more. Here’s how!

Disease prevention

Exercise improves overall immune function. Even light exercise for 30 minutes a day is beneficial.

Photo courtesy of Pohai Nani

Improved mental health and cognitive function

Exercise relieves stress by producing endorphins — those “feel good” hormones — and has also been shown to lower the risk of developing dementia.

Improved sleeping patterns

Exercise helps establish good sleeping patterns, which is especially important for older adults.

Decreased risk of falls

Exercise improves strength, agility and flexibility, which in turn will improve balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls.

Social engagement

Strong social ties are important at any age. Turn exercise into a fun social activity by joining a group exercise class, walking group or even a gardening club.

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POHAI NANI
Sonja Guy | 808-236-7807 www.pohainani.org

Regular exercise and physical activity can help to prevent disease, improve mental health, increase energy, reduce the risk of falling and much more. Here’s how!
Aging and the Impact of Hearing Loss
By age 75, approximately fifty percent of us will have a significant degree of correctable hearing loss. Fortunately, most hearing loss can be treated and is correctable. New technology enables us to hear and understand at or near normal levels. It is always a good idea not to procrastinate and seek professional help sooner rather than later.

Effects of untreated hearing loss

Hearing loss isn’t just an ear issue. Untreated hearing loss can have serious and wide-ranging consequences for both you and those around you:

Increased mental fatigue/stress

Poorer memory

Difficulty focusing

Poorer mental health

Social withdrawal

Depression

If you or a loved one are not hearing as well as you once did, help is available. Modern technology can correct hearing loss as well as improve your hearing. Don’t let hearing loss rob you of the enjoyment of your golden years. Join the thousands of people who have overcome hearing loss and increased their quality of life by seeking professional help.

You will be glad you did.

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OHANA HEARING CARE
1296 S Beretania St #102 Honolulu, HI 96814
808-593-2137 | www.ohanahearingcare.com
By age 75, approximately fifty percent of us will have a significant degree of correctable hearing loss. Fortunately, most hearing loss can be treated and is correctable. New technology enables us to hear and understand at or near normal levels. It is always a good idea not to procrastinate and seek professional help sooner rather…
A Pain-Free New Year

With a new year comes new goals to better ourselves. Whether you have been exercising for years or are just starting out, be especially careful to avoid injury. Loss of flexibility and of bone and muscle mass increases the risk of injury and slows down recovery.

         Consult with a professional — Do not start a program without first checking with your doctor or your physical therapist. Your PT will provide expert assessment and personalized recommendations for your health and fitness. They will ensure your workout program accommodates your physical capabilities and any pre-existing conditions you might have.

         Warm up / cool down — Cold muscles are prone to injury so add a few minutes of light exercise and stretches to improve blood flow and reduce stiffness. Slowly increasing / decreasing your heart rate also minimizes stress on your heart.

         Know your limitations — Never work out to the point of pain. Exercising through pain can actually prolong healing. Listen to your body, slow it down, or consult with a PT on how to proceed carefully and safely.

         Vary your workout — Alternating programs, such as swimming or dancing, work different muscle groups, prevent boredom, and give your body a chance to recover between sessions.

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MOON PHYSICAL THERAPY, LLC
320 Ward Ave., Ste. 107, Honolulu HI 96814 95-1057 Ainamakua Dr. F-11, Mililani HI 96789
808-597-1005 | www.moonpt.com

With a new year comes new goals to better ourselves. Whether you have been exercising for years or are just starting out, be especially careful to avoid injury. Loss of flexibility and of bone and muscle mass increases the risk of injury and slows down recovery.
Understanding the Two Types of Pain

There are two main classifications of pain: the common type that arises from damaged tissue (nociceptive pain), and the more exotic kind that comes from damage to the system that reports and interprets damage, the nervous system (neuropathic pain).

NOCICEPTIVE PAIN

Tissue damage caused by injury to bone, soft tissue, or organs. This can be caused by cancer or physi-cal injury such as a cut or a broken bone. The pain may be an ache, a sharp stabbing, or a throbbing. It could come and go, or it could be constant. You may feel the pain worsen when you move or laugh. Sometimes, breathing deeply can intensify it.

NEUROPATHIC PAIN

Nerves function like electric cables transmitting signals to and from the brain. Nerve damage can interfere with the way those signals are transmitted, causing abnormal pain signals, such as burning, prickling, electrical shock, tingling or a stabbing sensation. Hypersensitivity to temperature or touch may also indicate nerve damage.

Understanding the two types of pain will help you understand the solutions your physician or pain specialist suggest for easing it.

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NOVEL MEDICAL SOLUTIONS
support@novelmedicalsolutions.com
808-528-1111 | www.novelmedicalsolutions.com

There are two main classifications of pain: the common type that arises from damaged tissue, and the more exotic kind that comes from damage to the system that reports and interprets damage, the nervous system. Understanding the two types of pain will help you understand the solutions your physician or pain specialist suggest for easing…
Know Stroke Warnings and Call 911

Stroke remains Hawai‘i’s third leading cause of death and a leading cause of major disability. However, 80 percent of strokes are preventable. And those that do occur, in many cases, are treatable if symptoms are quickly recognized and treatment is quickly sought.

Hawai‘i Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data shows, however, that almost 50 percent of Hawai‘i stroke patients aren’t being delivered to hospitals by EMS ambulances. That can result in treatment delays upon hospital arrival or, in some cases, patients arriving at a hospital that is not prepared to immediately provide treatment. In addition, approximately 70 percent of Hawai‘i stroke patients arrive at a hospital at least 24 hours after first stroke symptoms, outside of the treatment times for therapies that can be used to minimize, and sometimes reverse, stroke effects.

“Stroke patients have the best chance of recovery when 9-1-1 is called immediately,” says Kazuma Nakagawa, M.D., neurologist and American Heart Association (AHA) Hawaii Division Board member. “For every minute of treatment delay, almost two million brain cells are permanently lost and the risk of permanent disability or death increases. Hawai‘i’s EMS paramedics are trained to diagnose the type of stroke and begin treatment en route to the hospital. They can also alert hospital stroke teams in advance so that treatment can begin immediately upon arrival. Recognizing stroke signs and taking immediate action can mean the difference between a patient walking out of a hospital or being wheeled out.”

The AHA developed the acronym F-A-S-T to help the public recognize stroke signs and quickly call 9-1-1. “F” stands for face drooping, especially on one side. “A” stands for arm weakness or numbness. “S” stands for speech difficulty or slurring. And “T” stands for time to call 9-1-1.

Stroke, in most cases, is preventable through simple lifestyle changes. They include controlling blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, improving diet, and not smoking. To learn more about how you can prevent your risk for stroke, go to www.StrokeAssociation.org, or call the AHA Hawaii Division office in Honolulu at the number below.

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram or visit our website to see what’s happening locally.

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AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION HAWAII DIVISION
677 Ala Moana Blvd, Suite 600, Honolulu HI 96813
808-377-6630 | www.heart.org/Hawaii
Facebook & Instagram: HeartHawaii

Stroke remains Hawai‘i’s third leading cause of death and a leading cause of major disability. However, 80 percent of strokes are preventable. And those that do occur, in many cases, are treatable if symptoms are quickly recognized and treatment is quickly sought. Hawai‘i EMS data shows, however, that almost 50 percent of Hawai‘i stroke patients…
A Life Shared is a Life Well-Lived
Most of life’s memorable experiences are memorable because they’re shared. What if there were an easy way to not only write down your memories for family and friends but to also give them the opportunity to reminisce with you about them?

There is! Developed by a team right here in Hawai‘i — led by local entrepreneur Beth N. Carvin — JamBios is an easy-to-use memoir writing platform that lets you write one story at a time while also keeping you organized. Nobody can see, comment on, or add to your memoir unless you invite them to. And if any of those you’ve invited add something to it, you are notified.

It may sound a lot like Facebook, but there are several important differences based on JamBios’ specific focus on a memoir format, such as:

Pre-defined chapters

1000s of memory prompts

The option to create a keepsake book with a few clicks

No professional writing skills are required and you are guided through the process of creating the pages and chapters of your memoir. You can write as much or as little as you wish, and add photos, audio and video links. There is no cost to create your JamBio, but you will have to sign up on the website to get started. Before signing up, you can check out example galleries of pages created by users who have opted to have them showcased.

There is no time like the present to remember and share the past!

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JAMBIOS
hello@jambios.com | www.jambios.com
Most of life’s memorable experiences are memorable because they’re shared. What if there were an easy way to not only write down your memories for family and friends but to also give them the opportunity to reminisce with you about them? There is! Developed by a team right here in Hawai‘i — led by local…
What’s Pickleball?

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis and is played either indoors or outdoors on a 20×44-foot court. Players use a paddle, perforated ball similar to a whiffle ball, and a 3-foot-high net. Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles and it’s like playing ping pong on the ground.

Because the serve is underhand, and players cannot hit the ball within 7 feet of the net without letting it bounce first, it is less a game of power and more one of finesse and placement. Hence, younger players do not have as much advantage as they might in other sports, like tennis, where power plays a greater role.

Making friends and building community while getting healthy

Rather than playing with the same partner for multiple games, players during open-play typically change partners and opponents after every game, which creates a highly social environment where many new friendships are made. Sports with a social component may improve physical, mental and emotional well-being, and longevity more than non-social sports.

Pickleball helps to increase fitness, create inter-generational social opportunities, and build community ties. It is easy to learn; most people can gain an understanding of the basic rules and can start playing games after a single lesson.

Where can I learn and play?

The Oahu Pickleball Association hosts community events, clinics and tournaments. It’s not un-likely to find a very diverse group of approximately 20-40 people showing up to the free open-play sessions at various sites across the island. Pickleball players set up nets in public parks — usually on volleyball or basketball courts.

The Oahu Pickleball Association is a nonprofit and its passion, mission and purpose is to pro-mote, inform, instruct and organize pickleball on O‘ahu. Other pickleball groups throughout Hawai‘i are listed below. The sport is governed by the USA Pickleball Association, and you can search for the nearly 6,000 places to play in the United States on its website www.usapa.org

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OAHU PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION
808-351-1567
www.meetup.com/Oahu-Pickleball-Association/Facebook: @OahuPickleballAssociation

KAUA‘I
www.kauaipickleball.shutterfly.com/

MAUI
808-250-1766 | www.pickleballmaui.com

HAWAI‘I
808-331-2255 | Facebook: KonaPickleballHui

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis and is played either indoors or outdoors on a 20×44-foot court. Players use a paddle, perforated ball similar to a whiffle ball, and a 3-foot-high net. Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles and it’s like playing ping pong on the ground.
Building a Fine Arts Museum on Maui

My current goal is to help Maui Arts League build a Visual Fine Arts Museum on West Maui — for our children, residents and visitors. My husband and I have always valued art and were inspired by collecting fine art. I believe art makes people happy. What could be better than surrounding yourself with family, good friends, delicious healthy food and beautiful art?

Working for my community keeps my mind active, takes me all over the island, and leaves little time to become a couch potato! I think this approach to life makes me look younger than I am. I may feel like a centenarian some days (backaches or joint stress), but at 73, I ordinarily wake up fresh and eager to accomplish something of value.

If you want to keep enthusiastic about life, feeling vibrant, looking young and fit — just volunteer. My parents passed on to me their dedication to volunteerism and I am thankful for their wise insight and guidance on how to get the most out of life.

I worked long hours during my career at IBM. In retirement, I still liked setting goals and keeping busy, so I donated my time and skills to art organizations first in Austin, Texas, and later on Maui when we relocated here. I work just as much volunteering as I did at IBM, but now my imaginary ‘paycheck’ is much bigger!

You can give back to the community by donating time to your favorite nonprofit organization as a docent, a greeter, office helper or event staff. Pick groups that fit your passion: literary groups (especially children’s organizations like Book Trust), health groups (cancer, hospice, hospitals, care homes), or arts groups (Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Honolulu Museum of Art, Maui Academy of Performing Arts, Maui Arts League).

My retirement goals focus on community work because I don’t have children. If your focus is on family, keeping busy and setting goals works well too! If you’d like to chat about growing old and art, send me an email. If you live on Maui, a cup of coffee may be in the cards.

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MAUI ARTS LEAGUE
Lois Reiswig | infomauiartsleague@yahoo.com
www.celebrateartonMaui.org

My current goal is to help Maui Arts League build a Visual Fine Arts Museum on West Maui — for our children, residents and visitors. My husband and I have always valued art and were inspired by collecting fine art. I believe art makes people happy. What could be better than surrounding yourself with family,…
Diving into Retirement

The biggest surprise about retirement is that I am busier now than when I had a regular job. My to-do list seems to get longer every day, even though I know I am continually completing tasks. Keeping busy with meaningful work is good advice to anyone contemplating retirement.

During my professional career, I earned a Ph.D. in ichthyology (the study of fishes) and was employed at the Waikiki Aquarium for 27 years, and then at the Georgia Aquarium for another nine years before retiring in 2011. One fact about biologists is that we continue doing the same kind of work in retirement as we did in our careers, except there is no longer a pay-check. Biologists never really lose what Rachel Carson called a “sense of wonder” when it comes to nature. My wife, Marj, and I find that sense of wonder underwater. I have been scuba diving for 52 years, and I suspect I will continue doing so until I can no longer strap on a scuba tank.

Photo by Marj Awai

I don’t spend much time in regular volunteer service, but I have found other ways to give back to others. I am often asked to create video programs for friends or colleagues, which is a challenge because of the time this takes, but it is also rewarding to share what we see underwater because we know most people will never have this opportunity. I have a YouTube channel under my name where I post most of my videos. One of the most viewed underwater videos is this one filmed in the coral reefs around the Solomon Islands: https://youtu.be/JIzUKyc36Q4

As a former aquarium director, I am often asked to testify at the Legislature on behalf of friends or colleagues on issues for which I have the expertise or have a passionate interest. Anyone involved in preparing testimony and sitting for endless hours waiting to testify will know how time-consuming this can be, and sometimes it can be endlessly frustrating too.

The more mundane activities that keep me busy include all the usual tasks such as yard work (which I do enjoy!), keeping up on household repairs, exercise (daily walks and bicycling), writing magazine articles, and some scientific papers too. I have also found that my 70-year-old brain can no longer remember what I had for breakfast, let alone what I did a week ago. So I created an e-diary on my computer where I keep track of our daily activities and add a “picture of the day.” I have also found that tracking expenses is essential to understanding where all the money goes. At the end of every day, I pull all the receipts from my pocket and enter them on an Excel spreadsheet. With luck and continued tracking, our retirement funds will last well into our 90s.

Never a dull moment with so much to do!

The biggest surprise about retirement is that I am busier now than when I had a regular job. My to-do list seems to get longer every day, even though I know I am continually completing tasks. Keeping busy with meaningful work is good advice to anyone contemplating retirement.
Portfolio Workers: Who Are They?
They are the “Jugglers” of multiple opportunities who know a diversified work portfolio increases the probability of realizing financial and personal success, improves their sense of control and boosts feelings of security.

What you need to know about portfolio work.

Smart portfolio (multiple) ways of working are usually balanced between high risk and reasonable certainty as well as between long- and short-term growth. Many people compare it to investing time and money in the stock market for both short- and long-term financial returns.

Others think of portfolio work as simultaneously diversifying their work between multiple interests and different markets. In this way, it creates a balance of income, interests, time and energy.

Earning, learning and doing good.

In the following example, the first investment is doing project work in your established career field. This offers some income some of the time. Consider this aspect of your portfolio as work for current income.

A second investment is the continued (formal) development of related skills or new interests to meet the demands of emerging market-driven trends. This aspect of a portfolio is working for learning and future financial return.

A third investment is volunteering, which can be thought of as work done for personal satisfaction or for the benefit of others.

A balanced diversified portfolio, with the relative amounts of time dedicated to earning, learning and doing good, is illustrated below.

With the passage of time, the balance is likely to shift as different market-place needs, life goals and interests change.

Advantages of managing a career portfolio

You will…

Appreciate the opportunity to gain multiple income sources.

Expand your ability to shift emphasis as the marketplace continues to change.

Deepen your reputation as an expert.

Balance your energy between the various components of your portfolio.

Have some fun; give back to your community; gain more work/life balance.

Find new directions while doing meaningful work in your community.

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NEW WORKFORCE HAWAII
Carleen MacKay, Co-Founder
916-316-0143 | carleenmackayhi@gmail.com
www.newworkforcehawaii.com
Portfolio workers are the “Jugglers” of multiple opportunities who know a diversified work portfolio increases the probability of realizing financial and personal success, improves their sense of control and boosts feelings of security.
Language Matters: Avoiding Ageist Talk
Ageism is discrimination and negative stereotyping on the basis of a person’s age. It permeates the media and everyday conversations to such an extent and in such subtle ways that people may accept negative stereotypes of older adults (“forgetful,” “grouchy,” “less competent”) as truth, unconscious of their bias. While not denying very real difficulties that may arise, later adulthood is a life stage that involves both opportunities and challenges, as do all stages of life.

Language matters. The way we speak about or frame aging reflects and reinforces ageist attitudes.

While trying to convey the significance of current demographic changes, it is easy to slip into an alarmist mode. The media and even scholars often characterize population aging as a natural disaster, a “silver tsunami,” threatening to overwhelm society. Re-framing the discussion of changing demographics in a more positive way avoids an ageist mindset: “As Americans live longer and healthier lives…”

Older adults are marginalized as outsiders, when referred to as “them” not “us.”

The medicalization of life experiences once regarded as non-pathological (e.g., childbirth, sadness, menopause) extends to the experience of aging, as well. Viewing the process of aging in a medical frame implies the older adult needs “care.” Old age may be labelled either a “problem” to be “fixed” or a fatalistic condition for which “nothing can be done.”

In an attempt to counter ageist ways of speaking, the FrameWorks Institute developed the following evidence-based recommendations:

Redefine aging to include its positive aspects. Prevailing negative assumptions about “getting old” lead to fatalistic attitudes.

Avoid language like “senior citizens,” “aging dependents,” “the elderly.”

A call for justice beats a plea for sympathy. Ac-knowledge that a just society strives to treat everyone as equal participants.

Acknowledge that social contexts and social policies shape the experience of old age, that health and financial security are not totally dependent on an individual’s planning and good decisions.

A new metaphor can shift perceptions of aging. Compare the process of aging to “building momentum,” the potential force of built-up experience and insight, and view older adults as sources of resources to be tapped.

Remember, ageism is discrimination against your future self.

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CENTER ON AGING — University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
2430 Campus Road, Gartley Hall, 201B, Honolulu HI 96822
808-956-6124 | map3@hawaii.edu

www.hawaii.edu/aging/

Learn more about ageism:

Ashton Applewhite (2016):

This chair rocks: A manifesto against ageism

Applewhite TED talk on ageism:

www.bit.ly/ApplewhiteTEDTalkAgeism
Ageism is discrimination and negative stereotyping on the basis of a person’s age. It permeates the media and everyday conversations to such an extent and in such subtle ways that people may accept negative stereotypes of older adults (“forgetful,” “grouchy,” “less competent”) as truth, unconscious of their bias.
4th Annual Walk on the Wild Side

March is National Kidney Month! In celebration, the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i will be hosting its 4th Annual Walk on the Wild Side event on Saturday, March 23, 2019 from 11am to 4pm at Fort Street Mall and Chinatown.

Bring your friends and family down for a day of live entertainment, arts and crafts, delicious food, dragon dancing, Taiko drumming, keiki activities, fashion shows by Miss Hawai‘i contestants, educational health information, vision screenings, educational information, and much more. 23, 2019 from 11 am– 4 pm at Fort St. Mall & Chinatown.

Saturday, March 23, 2019
11am-4pm
Fort St. Mall & Chinatown

Our Historical Mystery Walk is a leisurely walk around the Downtown and Chinatown areas of the event. On the day of the event, walkers will receive a scavenger map which will lead them on a self-guided tour to find the area’s hidden historical gems in addition to learning more about the rich culture that surrounds us. We encourage participants of all ages to join us in this exciting adventure!

The Historical Mystery Walk is a proud project of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, Honolulu Exposed, and the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i.

In addition to all of those amazing activities, we will also be offering our largest complimentary kidney screening of the year. Did you know that over 198,000 people in Hawai‘i are living with kidney disease? Over 4,400 people are on dialysis and more than 300 people are waiting for transplants at this very moment. Hawai‘i is also 30 percent higher than the national average for kidney disease risk and kidney failure.

The National Kidney Foundation, a major voluntary nonprofit health organization, is dedicated to prevention of kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.

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NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF HAWAI‘I
1314 S. King St. #1555, Honolulu HI 96814
karwin@kidneyhi.org | www.kidneyhi.org/WOWS

March is National Kidney Month! In celebration, the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i will be hosting its 4th Annual Walk on the Wild Side event on Saturday, March 23, 2019 from 11am to 4pm at Fort Street Mall and Chinatown.