Category: Programs & Services

  • What to Say & Not to Say to Grievers

    Grief hurts. It hurts to witness our loved ones hurt. So a typical response to someone who is grieving is to try to comfort them and make them feel better.

    There is nothing wrong with trying to comfort the bereaved, but making them feel better is not possible. A grieving person simply wants their grief to be acknowledged and witnessed, not fixed. They have permission to be sad, angry, distracted and confused.

    There are phrases used commonly in an effort to comfort a bereaved person, but even with the best of intentions, these words can be hurtful, as they inadvertently minimize and diminish the griever’s feelings.

    WHAT NOT TO SAY

    They are in a better place.
    They lived a long life.
    At least they are no longer suffering.
    Be strong.
    Don’t cry.
    You’ll get over it.
    Shouldn’t you be over it by now?
    I know exactly how you feel.
    I understand.

    ALSO NOT HELPFUL

    You should be over this by now.
    Time heals all wounds.
    If you’re not crying, you’re not really grieving.
    Real men shouldn’t cry.

    WHAT TO SAY

    I’m sorry that you are having to navigate this.
    My condolences for your loss.
    I care.
    I love you.
    I don’t know what to say except I’m here for you.
    How do you want me to support you?

    There are many commonly held myths and misunderstandings about grief, which can present significant barriers to someone who is grieving. But when we understand the needs of those who are experiencing this painful but inescapable unbinding of the heart, we will likely be more mindful with our words.

    As much as words are important, know that your mere presence in the midst of their sorrow can be just the comfort they need.

    BEREAVEMENT NETWORK OF HAWAI‘I
    Facilitated by KOKUA MAU (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
    808-585-9977 | kokuamau.org
    kokuamau.org/grief-and-bereavement
    Learn more about grief and the healing process: Help For The Bereaved — The Healing Journey (kokuamau.org/wp-content/uploads/CtrOnAging-Booklet-5-REV_6-30-11.pdf).

    Grief hurts. It hurts to witness our loved ones hurt. So a typical response to someone who is grieving is to try to comfort them and make them feel better. There is nothing wrong with trying to comfort the bereaved, but making them feel better is not possible. A grieving person simply wants their grief…

  • Helping Dogs Help People

    Therapy Dog Teams startedvisiting emergency shelters, fire stations and police stations soon after the Maui fires. It’s wonderful to see people’s faces light up when they see the dogs.
    Therapy Dog Teams started visiting emergency shelters, fire stations and police stations soon after the Maui fires. It’s wonderful to see people’s faces light up when they see the dogs.

    Assistance Dogs of Hawaii (ADH) began in 2000 with a mission of training Service Dogs to assist people with limited mobility. The Maui based non-profit organization has grown over the last 23 years to provide dogs to a wide array of Hawai‘i residents with special needs.

    ADH has trained over 200 Assistance Dogs that have touched the lives of thousands of Hawai‘i residents. ADH provides Service Dogs for children and adults with disabilities and full-time Hospital Dogs that work at hospitals throughout Hawai‘i, including The Queens Medical Center, Kapiolani Medical Center, Rehab Hospital of the Pacific and Shriners Hospital for Children. ADH also provides Courthouse Dogs who help children who are victims of crime throughout the difficult legal system, and School Facility Dogs that help at local high schools. The ways that dogs can help people in need continues to grow. Assistance Dogs can help everyone from our keiki to our kūpuna.

    Assistance Dogs of Hawaii’s latest mission is providing Crisis Response for those affected by the wildfires on Maui. Therapy Dog Teams have been providing comfort to thousands of Maui residents at shelters and schools. ADH also provides support for first responders, including police and fire departments as well as FEMA and Red Cross workers. ADH adopted a puppy who was rescued from the fire in Lāhainā. She was named “Hope” and goes to school each day in West Maui, where she visits with students and comforts those who have also lost their homes.

    ADH provides all of its services free of charge and thanks to donations from individuals, businesses and foundations. To learn more about Assistance Dogs of Hawaii and how these special dogs have changed the lives of people in Hawai‘i, read Wonder Dogs: True Stories of Extraordinary Assistance Dogs.

    ASSISTANCE DOGS HAWAII (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
    P.O. Box 1803 Makawao, HI 96768
    808-298-0167 | info@assistancedogshawaii.org
    assistancedogshawaii.org
    The book is available at wonderdogsbook.com/

    Assistance Dogs of Hawaii (ADH) began in 2000 with a mission of training Service Dogs to assist people with limited mobility. The Maui based non-profit organization has grown over the last 23 years to provide dogs to a wide array of Hawai‘i residents with special needs.

  • Medicare Can Be A Slam Dunk!

    High five, fitness and senior women friends at beach with exercise, celebration and excited in nature. Sport, people and elderly females with hands in support of wellness, training or success at seaAccording to the dictionary a “slam dunk’ is a scoring shot in which a player jumps and forces a ball down through a basket for an effortless shot. Even though the player may be part of a team and has a coach — a “slam dunk” is an individual play.

    Getting set to enroll into Original Medicare is also accomplished on an individual basis. The first step is to reach out to the Social Security Administration to learn important rules that determine your eligibility and enrollment strategy.

    Coaching is available by viewing documents, blogs and videos on Medicare’s secure website at medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Many factors determine when you need to enroll and can be different from the timing for a spouse, relative or a friend. Timing is important to avoid missing your shot and incurring penalties.

    Next, you choose a strategy to secure Original Medicare. You can either register to access Social Security’s portal at ssa.gov to enroll online or contact them at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule a phone appointment. Once you submit your enrollment and follow-up to confirm acceptance, you have successfully joined the Medicare population of 63 million individuals.

    If you obey the rules, follow the basic steps and get coaching from the appropriate resources you too can hit a “slam dunk” and score Original Medicare easily and effortlessly for a winning Medicare season.

    GET2INSURANCE.COM FAMILY OFFICE
    1003 Bishop St., Ste. 2700, Honolulu, HI 96813
    800-226-3660 | martha@get2insurance.com
    Get2insurance.com

    According to the dictionary a “slam dunk’ is a scoring shot in which a player jumps and forces a ball down through a basket for an effortless shot. Even though the player may be part of a team and has a coach — a “slam dunk” is an individual play.

  • Volunteer to Protect Kūpuna

    Medicare fraud is big business for criminals. Medicare loses approximately $60 billion annually due to fraud, errors and abuse.

    When thieves steal from Medicare, there is less money for the healthcare we really need. We pay for things we may never get. We can get hurt when we receive tests, medicine or care we don’t need. Doctors, pharmacies and medical suppliers make mistakes; sometimes they straight-up steal from Medicare. Medicare is trying to crack down.

    Did You Know?

    • Hawai‘i leads the U.S. in average life expectancy at 83.1 years and kūpuna are vulnerable to scams.
    • Healthcare fraud, which includes illegal billing, is rampant and criminals are increasingly sophisticated.
    • Fraudsters want our personal identity, which threatens our safety, dignity and legacy.

    How Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Helps You

    Trained SMP volunteers assist beneficiaries in the first line of defense by:

    • Providing information needed to PROTECT from Medicare fraud, errors and abuse; DETECT potential fraud, errors and abuse; and they also REPORT concerns.
    • Assisting with questions, concerns or complaints and helping you understand your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
    • Offering free group educational presentations, and one-on-one, confidential counseling.
    • Referring non-healthcare scam concerns (romance, tech support, imposter/online, gift cards, etc.) to the appropriate agency.

    Contact SMP Hawaii and learn how you can help our community protect itself from healthcare fraud, errors and abuse. We need volunteers who are caring, want to learn, can speak another language to reach as many people as possible, and understand that it takes our entire state to protect kūpuna.

    SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL (SMP) HAWAII
    Department of Health — Executive Office on Aging
    250 S. Hotel St., Ste. 406, Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-586-7281 | Toll Free: 1-800-296-9422
    info@smphawaii.org | smphawaii.org
    Facebook: smphawaii808

    This project was supported in part by grant number 90MPPG0053 from the US Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy. The Hawai‘i Department of Health – Executive Office on Aging has administered SMP Hawaii since 1997.

    Medicare fraud is big business for criminals. Medicare loses approximately $60 billion annually due to fraud, errors and abuse. When thieves steal from Medicare, there is less money for the healthcare we really need.

  • IRA Changes to Part D in 2024

    stethoscope on American tickets along with a boat of white pills

    The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which cut costs on some insulins and Part D vaccinations in 2023, continues to roll out more money-saving changes to prescription drugs in 2024. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec.7) is the ideal time to consider how the following changes may affect your choice of healthcare insurance plan.

    • No coinsurance on prescription drugs for beneficiaries who fall into the catastrophic phase of Part D coverage.
    • 6% limit on average premium increases across most Part D plans.
    • Full financial help with cost-sharing and premiums may be possible for individuals who qualified for partial Extra Help in 2023 if they have limited assets and income less than 150% of the federal poverty level.

    Hawaii SHIP’s local, certified counselors provide unbiased information in one-on-one sessions and will screen income and assets for people with low incomes. SHIP specialists help clients submit Medicaid and Extra Help financial assistance forms and compare Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans on their behalf. Contact Hawaii SHIP to learn more.

    HAWAII SHIP
    Free, local, one-on-one Medicare counseling is provided by the Hawai‘i State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
    250 South Hotel St., Ste. 406, Honolulu, HI 96813
    Oahu: 808-586-7299 | Toll free: 888-875-9229
    hawaiiship.org

    The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which cut costs on some insulins and Part D vaccinations in 2023, continues to roll out more money-saving changes to prescription drugs in 2024. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec.7) is the ideal time to consider how the following changes may affect your choice of healthcare insurance plan.

  • Now That I Am Ready to Retire…

    Q: What is the average Social Security payment that a person receives each month?

    A: The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker in 2023 is $1,827.00. The average monthly Social Security benefit for a worker with a disability in 2023 is $1,483.00. To get an estimate of your current and future benefits, create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount.

    Q: How do I earn Social Security credits and how many do I need to qualify for benefits?

    A: We use your total yearly earnings to figure your Social Security credits. The amount needed for a credit in 2023 is $1,640. You must earn $6,560 to get the maximum four credits for the year. The amount needed to earn 1 credit usually increases each year when average wages increase.

    To qualify for Social Security benefits, you must earn a certain number of credits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you apply and the type of benefit. No one needs more than 40 credits for any Social Security benefit. You can read more about credits in How You Earn Credits at ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10072.pdf.

    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) | socialsecurity.gov

    To qualify for Social Security benefits, you must earn a certain number of credits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you apply and the type of benefit. No one needs more than 40 credits for any Social Security benefit.

  • Medicare Season Attracts Millions

    According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, more than 10,000 people are turning 65 every day and may qualify for Original Medicare insurance. Once an individual obtains the core parts of Medicare, other options may lower out-of-pocket costs. Some beneficiaries choose to get their coverage from Part C Medicare Advantage plans.

    Each year, Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) allows current enrollees to look at options for the following year. They can decide whether to keep their plan or select a new one. If no changes are needed, beneficiaries do not need to do anything. If a beneficiary decides to change, the new plan becomes effective the first day of the new year.

    In 2022, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 28 million Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. This Fall, millions of beneficiaries may be scrolling through insurance websites, watching TikTok videos and reading marketing materials. Licensed agents might also give Medicare 101 workshops at your local senior fair.

    It’s time to take a closer look at your plans! If you are happy with your existing plan, just sit back, relax and enjoy your Medicare years.

    GET2INSURANCE.COM FAMILY OFFICE
    1003 Bishop St., Ste. 2700, Honolulu, HI 96813
    800-226-3660 | martha@get2insurance.com
    Get2insurance.com

    According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, more than 10,000 people are turning 65 every day and may qualify for Original Medicare insurance. Once an individual obtains the core parts of Medicare, other options may lower out-of-pocket costs. Some beneficiaries choose to get their coverage from Part C Medicare Advantage plans.

  • Aloha Pen Pal

    I find volunteering the most humbling and rewarding when it connects the young and the old.

    On May 23, the RSVP (Retired and Seniors Volunteer Program) wrapped up a third pen-pal year with a lunch meeting — for the first time — with their sixth grade Pearl Ridge Elementary pen pals. I was unprepared for the chicken-skin experience. I guess we had no idea how close we became during our school year’s expansive weekly letter writing exchange. Our RSVP pen-pal program started during the pandemic. The focus was to mitigate feelings of loneliness. You might be surprised to know:  loneliness currently affects people of all ages. The US Attorney General recently stated, “Loneliness increases mental and physical issues, including dementia by 30%.” I feel having a pen pal helped us RSVP volunteers and sixth graders equally. There were hugs, some tears and heartfelt alohas as we met for the first time and then said our farewells.

    If you’re 55 or older and would like to be a pen pal, please join us at RSVP. It is an incredibly fulfilling opportunity.

    ADRC HAWAI‘I
    City & County of Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division
    925 Dillingham Blvd., Ste. 200, Honolulu, HI 96817
    808-768-7700 | elderlyaffairs.com
    RSVP Program (an AmeriCorps Seniors program)
    808-768-7778 | elderlyaffairs.com/site/460/rsvp.aspx

    I find volunteering the most humbling and rewarding when it connects the young and the old.

  • Don’t Let The Clock Run Out on Part D

    It’s official: You signed up for Original Medicare Parts A and B. Your enrollment isn’t quite finished yet though — at least, it shouldn’t be. Your next step is to enroll in a prescription drug plan. This is true even if you’re not presently taking any medications. It is important that you enroll in a timely fashion to avoid lifetime late enrollment penalties. The two ways to get drug coverage are through a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) which usually includes a prescription drug plan (known as MA PDP); or to enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan.

    When selecting an MA PDP or Part D plan it is important to consider:

    • Are the medications you’re taking on the plan’s list of covered drugs?
    • Monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.
    • Which pharmacies are in network.

    If you need help paying for your prescriptions, consider applying for Extra Help, a low-income subsidy program from the Social Security Administration. If you are not sure if you qualify, contact Hawaii SHIP to have a trained specialist compare Part D plans for you and help determine your eligibility.

    HAWAII SHIP
    Free, local, one-on-one Medicare counseling is provided by the Hawai‘i State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
    250 South Hotel St., Ste. 406, Honolulu, HI 96813
    Oahu: 808-586-7299 | Toll free: 888-875-9229
    hawaiiship.org

    It’s official: You signed up for Original Medicare Parts A and B. Your enrollment isn’t quite finished yet though — at least, it shouldn’t be. Your next step is to enroll in a prescription drug plan. This is true even if you’re not presently taking any medications. It is important that you enroll in a…

  • Ask Medicare About IRMAA

    Whether you are newly enrolled into Medicare or had coverage for awhile, you may be one of the beneficiaries subject to a higher monthly premium for Medicare Part B. Approximately 7% of all Medicare enrollees pay a higher premium. Those impacted are notified by letter.

    You may request a redetermination of your Part B premium Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), by filing form SSA-44 (ssa.gov/forms/ssa-44.pdf). For assistance, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213, 7am–7pm, weekdays.

    Why the increase?

    Medicare Part B beneficiaries with high incomes pay an additional amount. If you are subject to the income-related adjustment, it will be calculated based on your tax return’s modified adjusted gross income two years prior to each new calendar year in which you have Part B or based on the date you enroll. The premium increase is based on income.

    Requesting Redetermination

    Complete form SSA-44 to request a redetermination based on a life-changing event, such as: work reduction or stoppage, loss of pension or income producing property, employer settlement payment, marriage, divorce/ annulment, death of spouse. By demonstrating an income decrease occurred after the initial  determination, your premium increase may be waived.

    GET2INSURANCE.COM FAMILY OFFICE
    1003 Bishop St., Ste. 2700, Honolulu, HI 96813
    800-226-3660 | martha@get2insurance.com
    Get2insurance.com

    Whether you are newly enrolled into Medicare or had coverage for awhile, you may be one of the beneficiaries subject to a higher monthly premium for Medicare Part B. Approximately 7% of all Medicare enrollees pay a higher premium. Those impacted are notified by letter.