Category: August – September 2012

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 brother and sister are absolutely no help at all. I’m so angry at them. And my parents don’t even seem to understand that I’m trying to help them. They keep telling me they can take care of themselves. They can’t!”

Comments like these are becoming all too familiar as family members struggle to support the needs of their aging parents while trying to juggle their own personal responsibilities. Emotions run high, patience grows thin and family relationships are torn apart, at times, permanently. Each family member has their own life, home, work and immediate family issues to contend with on a daily basis. When an elder family member suddenly needs support, families often react without considering all of the implications of their actions on individual family members, including the elder person.

Mediation and family conferences are processes designed to help families talk through issues and sort through emotions to create well thought out plans to support elder family members. With the assistance of an impartial third person, a mediator or facilitator, every family member has an opportunity to express their needs, perspectives, fears and concerns, before decisions are made. For example, the interest of the elder person to remain independent can be factored in with the children’s concerns about the elder family member’s safety. The importance of having every family member take an active role in developing the plan as well as implementing the plan to care for the needs of the elder member, are also addressed.

Facilitators and mediators are trained listeners who ask powerful questions that help families look at each situation from a broader perspective and gather information and resources to make thoughtful decisions and plans that support the elder family member. By talking through sensitive issues and creating family plans in mediation and family conferences, families strengthen communication, preserve their relationships and maintain the dignity of the elder family member.

The next time you hear “my siblings just aren’t helping me to support mom and dad,” suggest mediation or family conferencing. It’s a cost effective approach to helping families have powerful conversations and prevent potential conflicts
from escalating.

Tracey S. Wiltgen is the Executive Director of the Mediation Center of the Pacific, a not-for-profit corporation that assists more than 5,000 people annually.

The Mediation Center of the Pacific, Inc.
245 N. Kukui Street, Suite 206, Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: 521-6767 Fax: 538-1454 www.mediatehawaii.org

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 brother and sister are absolutely no help at all.…
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.

Scammers are already trying to cash in on the fact that there is still confusion about health reform. Hawai‘i’s BBB is warning consumers that these scammers are trying to sell fake “Obamacare” policies over the phone and other health care policies under the guise of being able to be grandfathered into a policy before the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is “official”. Some of these scam artists have even set up toll-free numbers to sell these fake policies.

The con-artists attempt to create a sense of urgency by telling consumers that there is a limited enrollment period and coverage is required by law. Often, these thieves can’t explain what is covered by the policy nor do they have any answers related directly to healthcare that are not very general.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if someone solicits you about obtaining new health insurance.

There is no open enrollment period currently associated with the new law, so if the salesperson is pressuring you to buy the policy because the price or option is only good for a short time, be wary.

You may have heard that all Americans will be required to purchase health insurance under the new law, but this requirement does not go into effect until 2014 for most people. If a salesperson implies you have to purchase coverage now, hang up the phone immediately.

If a salesperson claims that by getting a different coverage now that you will be “grandfathered” or exempted from changes required by the health care reform law in the future. It is a red flag as this is no longer true.

Hawai‘i’s BBB recommends that you don’t sign a contract or send money before you check out the company you plan on doing business with. Consumers have resources such as Hawai‘i’s BBB and the States Insurance Commissioner (808-586-2790, 808-586-2799, www.hawaii.gov/dcca/ins/)that they can check with before doing business with a company. Stay safe, healthy and informed!

Complaints or Questions, contact BBB:

808-536-6956 (O‘ahu)
877-222-6551 (Neighbor Islands)
www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint/
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. Scammers are already trying to cash…
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 account and viewed their Social Security Statement.

If there was an Olympics for customer services available online, the services at www.socialsecurity.gov would be the Phelps of that competition. Over the years, Social Security’s online services have been rated the best in government and in all other industries.

“The online Social Security Statement is a huge success,” Commissioner Astrue said. “The online Statement meets our commitment to provide Americans with an easy, efficient process to obtain an estimate of their potential Social Security benefits. I recommend that everyone get in the habit of checking their online Statement each year, around their birthday, for example.”

The online Statement provides estimates for retirement, disability and survivors benefits. It also provides workers as young as 18 a convenient year-round way to determine whether their earnings are accurately posted to their Social Security records, which was not possible when the agency mailed paper Statements only to those 25 and older.

On May 1, Social Security unveiled this new addition to its popular suite of electronic services at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement, which allows people to access their Social Security earnings and benefit information securely and conveniently.

To access your online Statement, you must be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security number, have a valid email address and have a U.S. mailing address.

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), users are giving the online Statement a score of 89 — making it competitive with Social Security’s other top-rated, best-in-government online services, such as the Retirement Estimator and online retirement application. The ACSI tracks trends in customer’s satisfaction and provides valuable benchmarking insights for companies and government agencies.

Whether you want to plan for or apply for your retirement, look into other benefits or learn about the history of the program, you can take a break from the Summer Olympics, visit the Olympian of online services at www.socialsecurity.gov.

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 account and viewed their Social Security Statement. If there was an Olympics for…
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 harmonizing style. They did concerts up and down the West Coast. While singing in a backyard luau, a friend tape recorded them for fun. One thing led to another and they were discovered by Hi Fi Records. The group was named “The Surfers,” and they cut their first album, “The Surfers on the Rocks.” It became a local best seller.

The quartet embarked on a sensational career that took them through the next 26 years!

At age 43, Clayton learned that his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer. Up to that point, his life had been defined by show biz, but it was time to do something else. In 1980, he left the business and turned his focus toward family.

Over the years Clayton had studied Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido under the late Master Koichi Tohei. The master taught the principles of unifying mind and body and its application to daily life.

Fifty years later, Clayton is a 6th Dan Black Belt and a founder of Lokahi Ki Society, where he serves as its senior advisor. He has dedicated his life to creating programs for people to experience the power they naturally have through unification of mind and body.

Clayton is particularly passionate about keeping seniors active. So, I asked Clayton is it ever too late for a senior to consider training through Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido’s mind and body unification? He replied, “It’s never too late.”

I have been attending Clayton’s classes for the past two years. The exercises have greatly improved my physical flexibility, balance, strength and fluidity. It helps me stay in a calm and focused state of mind. Practicing the same state of mind outside of the dojo I can now deal with life’s challenges one at a time — more calmly, more clearly, more focused. Most importantly, it has improved my outlook on life, diet, exercise and hope for mankind. I’ve dropped 25 pounds, lowered my blood pressure and put off my diabetes.

You may also experience many benefits through practicing, studying and experiencing this form of Aikido. For more info, contact Lokahi Ki Society:

phone(s): 808-372-7724, 489-5255, 258-6814
email: lokahiki@me.com
www.lokahiki.com/Lokahi_Ki_Society/Welcome.html

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 harmonizing style. They did concerts up and down the West Coast. While singing in…
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 on Wheels and Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels — organizations that provide home-delivered meals to seniors unable to cook or shop for themselves.

Drive to End Hunger focuses on a specific challenge the two organizations face in meeting the growing demand for services for Hawai‘i’s aging population: the shortage of volunteer drivers. Drivers are a critical link to the elder community, not only because of the meals they deliver but also due to the contact they have with many seniors who are otherwise isolated.

Without volunteer drivers, Hawai‘i’s Meals on Wheels organizations can’t keep up with the growing demand for their services. “We have a wait list of 400 residents who’ve requested meal service that we’re not able to provide at current volunteer staffing and funding levels,” said Lanakila Meals on Wheels Director Lyn Moku. Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels Executive Director Claire Shimabukuro faces a similar predicament. “We would like to deliver more meals to seniors in need, but our ability to increase the number of existing routes is tied to the number of available drivers,” she said.

Victoria Howarth and Les Miller

Both Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels and Lanakila Meals on Wheels host monthly orientation sessions where individuals can ask questions and get a feel for what it takes to volunteer. In general, volunteer drivers need to be patient, reliable and friendly. They should have a car with valid insurance and safety sticker and be available for up to three hours, every other week. According to research commissioned by AARP Foundation in 2011, Hawai‘i ranked 25th in the country in the number of adults age 50 and older who were food insecure (6.68 percent of older residents affected). Food insecurity is also associated with numerous negative health outcomes among the elderly — including poorer health and higher probability of being hospitalized.

Drive to End Hunger is part of a nation-wide AARP Foundation assault on the hunger problem among Americans 50+. We’re taking steps to feed those who are hungry now, while developing long-term, sustainable answers that address the root causes of hunger among those 50+.

For more information & volunteer, call:

LANAKILA MEALS ON WHEELS
531-0555 | www.lanakilapacific.org

HAWAI‘I MEALS ON WHEELS
988-6747 | www.hmow.org

aarp.org/hi | facebook.com/AARPHawaii | twitter.com/AARPHawaii

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 on Wheels and Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels — organizations that provide home-delivered meals to seniors unable…
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 plaques form inside blood vessel walls. The blood vessel walls thicken and the vessels become narrower. This change in the blood vessels reduces blood flow through the blood vessels contributing to heart attacks and strokes.

Types of Cholesterol:

Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to a protein. This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are classified as high density, low density, or very low density, depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.

Low density lipoproteins (LDL): LDL, also called “bad” cholesterol, can cause buildup of plaque on the walls of arteries. The more LDL there is in the blood, the greater the risk of heart disease.

High density lipoproteins (HDL): HDL, also called “good” cholesterol, helps the body get rid of bad cholesterol in the blood. The higher the level of HDL cholesterol, the better. If your levels of HDL are low, your risk of heart disease increases.

Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL): VLDL is similar to LDL cholesterol in that it contains mostly fat and not much protein.

Triglycerides: Triglycerides are another type of fat that is carried in the blood by very low density lipoproteins.

Diet guidelines to help control your cholesterol:

Check labels for fat and cholesterol content.

Eat fruits and vegetables, beans, and whole grains daily. The fiber in these foods helps lower cholesterol.

Reduce the amount of cholesterol in your diet.

Eat less fat. Limit the amount of butter and margarine you eat.

Use sunflower, safflower, soybean, canola, corn, or olive oil.

Use egg whites or egg substitutes rather than whole eggs.

Replace whole-milk dairy products with nonfat or low-fat milk, cheese, spreads.

Eat skinless chicken, turkey, and fish more often than red meat.

Choose lean cuts of meat; trim off all visible fat.

Avoid fatty desserts: ice cream, cream-filled cakes, and cheesecakes.

Reduce amount of fried foods and fast foods.

Where does cholesterol come from?

Cholesterol comes from 2 sources — most are synthesized by the liver. Major dietary sources of cholesterol include animal products, meat, egg yolks, cheese, fish, and shrimp.

How is cholesterol measured?

It is measured by a blood test called fasting lipid profile. A total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dl is considered good.

What is the target LDL goal?

The goal is less than 160 mg/dl if your risk of heart disease is low, less than 130 mg/dl if you have a moderate risk, or less than 100 mg/dl if you’re a high risk of heart disease or diabetes.

How can seniors control cholesterol?

Eating right and exercising can usually control cholesterol levels. If you have a high risk for heart disease, your health care provider may prescribe cholesterol lowering medications as well as changes in lifestyle. Statin drugs such as Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Pravachol, Mevacor, all lower LDL cholesterol. Niacin, a B vitamin, increases HDL 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 plaques form inside blood vessel walls. The…
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 facilities and foster family homes). Let’s take a look at each care facility option, and the payment resources.

Long-term care is often thought of to refer to all kinds of assistance to the the elderly or the disabled, whether that care is given in a patient’s home, a community care home or nursing home. This is a common mistake.

Long-term care includes a wide range of support services for patients with a degenerative condition, prolonged illness or cognitive disorder. Also known as “custodial care,” long-term care primarily involves assistance with the activities of daily living (walking, personal hygiene, dressing, eating, etc.) or supervision of someone who is cognitively impaired.

Common Payment Sources:

Medicare (federal health insurance for those 65 years and older or with certain disabilities who qualify through Social Security Administration). Medicare does not pay for “custodial” care.

Medicare may pay for “Skilled Nursing Facility Care”- the individual has to meet the guidelines for coverage. Medicare will only cover inpatient care in a certified Medicare Facility.

There is also a “home health care” benefit that may cover for a short period of time, again if the person meets the guidelines for coverage. For more information you can check the Medicare & You handbook, go to www.medicare.gov or call the Hawaii SHIP.

Medicaid (Hawaii’s Medical Assistance Program)

Individuals qualify based on income and assets. They have a program for long-term care and also for medical coverage (coverage for someone living at home who needs help paying for doctor’s visits, x-rays, lab tests). In Hawaii the program
is administered by the Department of Human Services. Programs are currently provided by QUEST Expanded Access Plans.

If a person qualifies for long-term coverage, Medicaid may pay for a skilled nursing facility, community care home and foster family home. In some cases if the person chooses to stay at home Medicaid may pay for services to be delivered there.

TriCare for Life (military benefit for those with 20 years of service or other eligibility).

May pay for skilled nursing care in a Medicare certified facility or home health care, but it does not pay for custodial care.

Veteran’s Administration Benefits (VA)

VA may provide coverage in certain approved facilities. You may have to qualify to be eligible for these benefits. Call your local VA office for more information.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Depending on the plan purchased, insurance may provide coverage in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, foster and community care facilities or for services brought into the person’s home. Each plan is very individual, and coverage and price vary.

For more information on coverage for individuals with Medicare, call the Hawaii SHIP/Sage PLUS Program at 1-888-875-9229 or go to the National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information at www.longtermcare.gov.
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 facilities and foster family homes). Let’s take a look at each care facility option, and…
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 if a complaint is found to be substantiated.

State Ombudsman Robin Matsunaga

The Ombudsman serves as a neutral, independent intermediary between the citizen and the agency. We conduct our investigations in a fair and impartial manner. We do not provide legal advice, nor do we serve as legal counsel, advocate, or representative on behalf of any person or agency.

What should you do if you have a complaint?

In fairness to the agency involved, you should first try to resolve the complaint directly with the agency. Many times agency officials are eager to explain what they did and why they did it, or will correct the problem to your satisfaction. In many cases, you will be able to settle the problem on your own.

Here are some good common sense steps to take in trying to resolve any “consumer” problem, whether it involves a government agency or a company in the private sector:

Be prepared. Know what questions you are going to ask (it helps to write them down). Be sure to have any relevant information you need available before you contact the agency.

Keep records. Take notes, ask for the names and titles of employees you speak with, and save all of your correspondence.

If you do not want to contact the agency yourself, or if you complain to the agency and are not satisfied with its response, then feel free to contact us. We can conduct an investigation on your behalf.

We are authorized by law to receive inquiries on a confidential basis. If we can, we will investigate your complaint without revealing your identity, although this is not always possible. If you have concerns about confidentiality, please feel free to discuss them with us.

Most complaints can be made by telephone with no forms to fill out. Ways to contact us are either by phone, email, or mail:

Phone: 808-587-0770, Fax: 808-587-0773, TTY: 808-587-0774
Hawai`i: 974-4000, Maui: 984-2400, Kaua‘i: 274-3141, Moloka‘i/Lanai: 800-468-4644
e-mail: complaints@ombudsman.hawaii.gov

Office of the Ombudsman
465 South King Street, 4th Flr.,
Honolulu, HI 96813

Open from 7:45 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, except for state holidays.

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 if a complaint is found to be substantiated. The Ombudsman serves as a neutral, independent…
August – September 2012

WANT THIS ISSUE?

Download your own personal copy of this issue in PDF format. Click the button below:

DOWNLOAD IT NOW

The Plaza: Assisted Living – A Personal Promise
August – September 2011

WANT THIS ISSUE?

Download your own personal copy of this issue in PDF format. Click the button below:

DOWNLOAD IT NOW

The Plaza: Assisted Living – A Personal Promise