Travel: Cool Cruising . . . Family Style
Family vacations are essentially quality time. It can take a lot of planning, especially if you want to visit multiple destinations on one trip. To minimize planning time and maximize quality time, choose a cruise vacation. Cruises are all-inclusive: cooking,...A Conversation about Long Term Care with Michael Yee
Generations Magazine interviewed Mike Yee on his expertise on long-term care insurance (LTCI) and to learn more about this important policy and common questions asked. GM: I understand you are a national leader in the LTCI industry. Could you elaborate your...Welcome to The Plaza Assisted Living
A personal promise creates new, affordable homes for hundreds local seniors In the early 1990s, local businessman Steve Metter searched for a safe and affordable place for his aging father to live. Faced with limited options, it became his mission to build a quality...Add the Color Into Your Estate Plan
Leaving one’s legacy, in my opinion, involves much more than writing a Will to say who gets your things when you die. It involves reaching into your past and telling your life story including recalling specific memories, telling of family history, expressions of love...From Charity is Received Income
If you are concerned about how your investments are performing in today’s financial markets, you are not alone. Whether you are trying to build a retirement nest egg, or already living on one, it is important to make informed choices. Sometimes people would like to...Splish-Splash!
Exercises performed in water is truly magical. The liquid density in the pool increases the amount of workout that you would have compared with the equivalent exercise on land without the fear of falling or damaging fragile joints. It allows you to move in ways you...Listening and Sharing
“$51? Are you sure that’s right?” — Yes, the young lady told him. “Does that include the tax?” — Yes, she said again. “Okay,” the man said and pulled a $50 and $1 out of his pocket. “We had a nice time,” he told her. — “We hope you join us again,” she said. Through a...The Right Questions About PV Systems
There are two types of Solar Energy Systems that will significantly lower your energy bill. Solar hot water systems can provide 20% to 30% of your energy needs and photovoltaic (PV) systems can provide up to 100%. There are many issues regarding a solar system for...Planning for Incapacity
In our lifetime, we have seen incredible advances in medical science. Think back 30 years. In 1982, a heart bypass operation was a really big deal. It meant weeks in the hospital and very risky surgery. Today, surgeons barely have to cut us open to reach into our...Message from the Editor – Aug / Sep 2012
Welcome to all of you attending this year’s Senior Fair and enjoying the great exhibitors and presentations, full of resourceful information and contacts to living well. We all should thank the producer of this—the largest event of the year dedicated to our...Think Green . . . Smoothie
The most important thing for our health is to get enough fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. It provides antioxidants, micronutrients, and phytochemicals to protect us from disease such as cancer and heart disease. These nutrients help us continue to function on a...Talk It Out at the Mediation Center
Mediation and family conferencing help families talk through difficult issues and create plans to support their Kupuna. “I’m so frustrated. I’m spending more and more time trying to help my mom and dad, and now I feel like I’m neglecting my own family. Of course my...Dollars & Sense: Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgaging is becoming more and more popular among future retirees. The following are answers to common questions about these types of loans: So, what is a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage (RM) is a form of equity release. It is a loan available to...Better Business Bureau: Scammers Take Advantage of Health Reform
Con artists are always seizing on the public’s financial struggles and confusion in order to make a quick buck. Not long ago we saw them come out of the woodworks during the housing crisis and now we are seeing a pattern again as health care reform laws are upheld....Social Security Goes for the Gold!
Millions of Americans are following the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. And just months before, Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced that in less than two months’ time, 1 million people have gone online, created a My Social Security...Now & Then: A Way of Harmony
In 1957, brothers Al and Clayton Naluai attended Glendale Junior College in California where they befriended two other Native Hawaiians, Bernie Ching and Pat Sylva. They started to compile Hawaiian tunes together for the choir director and came up with a signature...AARP Hawaii: Driving to Fight Senior Hunger
AARP Hawai‘i has launched an initiative to raise awareness and help non-profits meet the growing demand for food among Hawai‘i’s frail elderly population. The initiative, part of the national AARP Foundation Drive to End Hunger, supports the efforts of Lanakila Meals...Your Mind & Body: Controlling Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat which occurs naturally in the body. It has both good and bad effects on the body. The body uses cholesterol to make hormones and to build and maintain nerve cells. However, when the body has too much cholesterol deposits of fat called...Medicare: What’s What and Who Pays For It?
We at Sage PLUS Program/Hawaii SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) often get calls on our hotline from individuals who are confused about “who pays for what,” especially when it comes to care facilities (nursing homes, care homes, assisted living...What is The Office of The Ombudsman?
The Ombudsman is an officer of the legislature who investigates complaints about actions of executive branch agencies of the state and county governments. Our office has the power to obtain necessary information for an investigation and to recommend corrective action...
August – September 2012
The Plaza: Assisted Living – A Personal Promise