Category: Programs & Services

  • What’s the ‘Advantage’ in Medicare Plans?

    There’s been a lot of buzz about the extra benefits that come with Medicare Advantage plans. I’m asked everyday, “What’s the best plan?” There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all best plan — but chances are, there could be a better plan out there for you than what you have.

  • Visitor Aloha Societies in Hawai‘i Care for Travelers Touched by Adversity

    Despite the ongoing pandemic, Hawai‘i continues to attract scores of visitors lured by the promise of pristine beaches, picture-perfect scenery and a balmy, tropical climate. Yet, the fact remains that while our state continues to be one of the safest destinations in the world, it is not unlike anywhere else. The islands still can be…

  • Get Help Paying Health & Prescription Costs

    If you have limited income and resources,  you may qualify for help paying some healthcare and prescription drug costs. Fifty-two percent of seniors in Hawai‘i qualify for the Medicare Extra Help program.

  • Purpose Pals: A Kūpuna-Youth Connection

    Purpose Pals is a free, virtual intergenerational program led by Christy Nishita and Colby Takeda, in collaboration with Age-Friendly Honolulu, Blue Zones Project Hawaii, and the Hawaii Afterschool Alliance. Purpose Pals matches adults 50 and over with high school through college-age students, fostering regular communication using Big & Mini’s web-based video conferencing platform. The program…

  • Annual Wellness Visits to Stay Healthy

    During a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), you and your doctor will focus on overall wellness, prevention and early disease detection. The AWV is designed to support you in taking an active role in managing your health and improving your well-being and quality of life. Doctors recommend the visit and encourage all Medicare patients to…

  • Workers & Social Security

    Do you plan to pay a cleaning person, cook, gardener, babysitter or other household worker at least $2,300 in 2021? This amount includes any cash you pay for your household employee’s transportation, meals and housing. If you will pay at least $2,300 to one person, you have some additional financial responsibilities.

  • Medicare: Increased Benefits for Veterans

    Many veterans don’t understand that the Veteran’s Administration (VA) offers a healthcare plan for veterans, reservists and members of the National Guard only. This healthcare plan is not available to all veterans, as eligibility and qualifications are required to receive these healthcare services. All medical treatment provided by the VA will be at VA facilities…

  • Help & Hope for Parkinson’s Patients

    Although a cure has still not been found, the nonprofit Hawai‘i Parkinson Association (HPA), was established in 1996 to assist Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and their family members live the best life possible by uniting people, organizations and resources to treat their symptoms.

  • Declutter Your Home for a Move or to Age in Place Safely

    When should decluttering begin? People should always be thinking about decluttering. Clutter isn’t age-related. All of us can accumulate too many possessions. However, if you start to notice that you can’t find things or you can’t get into areas in your home, then that is definitely a time to start thinking about decluttering.

  • The Power of Healing, Harmony & Hope

    Mental health is a serious concern in  Hawai‘i. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 17 percent of the state’s adult  population were struggling with some form of mental illness. Yet two out of three were receiving no treatment at all for this illness, which can contribute to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma,…

  • Oh Those Medicare Commercials!

    You’ve seen hundreds of those ads on TV telling you to call a toll-free number to hear all about the new Medicare Advantage benefits. These commercials insinuate that all the extras are free and some suggest you might even be able to get money back. These ads are misleading, at best.

  • Dementia Patients ‘Remember Thru Music’

    The powerful documentary Alive Inside, created by Music & Memory, became a call to action for Big Island resident Jen McGeehan. Music & Memory is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals with a wide range of cognitive and physical conditions to engage with the world, ease pain and reclaim their humanity through the use of…