What’s So Good About Growing Older?
As part of Older Americans Month in May, the Hawai’I State Executive Office on Aging and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs joined the Area Agencies on Aging and Gov. Abercrombie in recognizing eight outstanding senior citizen volunteers from each of the four...International Adventure
Mrs. Matthews and I just returned from a trip to Europe. We went to Lisbon, Portugal for a Rotary International Convention and then to Munich, Germany to visit with friends. The thrill of international travel can often be marred by the fact of international travel....Message from The Editor – August / September 2013
Wow, where has the time gone! Generations Magazine is entering its 4th year of being Hawai‘i’s “Resource for Life.” We strive to educate and inform families and our senior community on a wide range of topics, from health and active living to caregiving and scam...Treating Shoulder Pain
What causes constant shoulder pain? First off, seniors don’t have to live with pain. There are ways to treat your symptoms. Shoulder injuries are common and typically result from overuse, improper training and repetitive arm motions. The pain is often while...Medicares’ National Mail-Order Program
On July 1, 2013, Medicare was scheduled to implement a national mail-order program for diabetic testing supplies. The program was designed to offer patients quality supplies at a discounted rate. Rather than having an approved amount of $78 for 100 test strips and...My Take on Things: What’s All the Racket?
Two and a half hours, and three sets later, a group of “50 plus” women enjoy beautiful weather at Wentworth Tennis Courts in Pearl Harbor. The youngest is 52 and the oldest will turn 80 in August. All appreciate a challenging game of tennis as you can hear laughter,...Choosing a Physical Therapist
As the most vital member of your own health care team, it’s important for you to know how to choose the right physical therapist who can maximize your healthcare dollars. Tips for choosing a physical therapist: Freedom to Choose: You are not obligated to accept the...Sweetheart Swindles
An elderly man was in the gym working out with his trainer when they saw an attractive young woman enter the workout area and begin to exercise. The older man asked his trainer what machine he should use to impress the young woman. The trainer replied he should use...They Are Out to Get You!
There are several scams targeting our kupuna that you need to know about. Scam 1: The first is a nationwide scheme where new real estate owners and individuals who have recently transferred their homes into their revocable living trusts receive letters from a company...What’s So Good About Growing Older?
So, the editor of Generations Magazine calls me and says, “Frank, let’s do another column for the magazine. We loved having your thoughts in the magazine, so please … hana hou!” Then the editor came back and said, “But this time, Frank, write about getting older and...AARP Hawai’i: Life Reimagined
After the kids were grown, Rhee, a career pharmacist turned fulltime mother, weighed second-career options. She thought of teaching or returning to a pharmacy, but memories of her church’s baking class brought back fond childhood memories of afternoon tea and...A New & Innovative Dental Office
An innovative concept in dentistry has emerged in Kaimuki. This dental office focuses on patient comfort, relaxation, reduction of dental fear, and is paired with coordinated specialty treatment. This practice is breaking the mold of the traditional dental office our...Al Harrington Discusses His Years … And Yours
At 77 years young, Al Harrington has seemingly lived the life of the American Dream—entertainer, actor, healer and educator. Yet, after experiencing cancer and diabetes, Al was compelled to build the healing spirit in Hawai‘i. For him, that meant illustrating how new...Do I Need Long-Term Care Insurance?
If you never experience chronic illness or an accident resulting in extended care, you won’t need long-term care insurance (LTCI). But, if either were to happen to you today, a nursing home in Hawai‘I could cost you $100,000 – $120,000/year and could last up to 3...Proper Hydration for Health
Staying hydrated everyday is the key to staying and feeling healthy. Our bodies have an intricate system of keeping fluids and electrolytes in balance. Due to changes in the body as we age, such as a decrease in total body water as well as a decreased sense of thirst,...Medicare? Are You There Yet?
Remember the familiar line chanted by children being driven somewhere, “Are we there yet?” As I visit companies to conduct Medicare preretiree seminars, I hear employees nearing the age of Medicare eligibility, quietly asking each other something similar —“Are You...Honoring End-of-Life Choices
Our community is facing a crisis, most recently evidenced by the Karen Okada case. The local news recently exposed this crisis, reporting that Ms. Okada made a living will in 1998 where she stated that she did not want her life to be “artificially prolonged” at “end...25th Annual Talk Story Festival
Around the world, every culture has it’s own way of sharing information and stories. In the Islands, we know it as ‘talk story.’ These informal conversations are about slowing down and taking the time to share ideas, stories, history and opinions with the people...What to Ask When Seeking a Care Home
Choosing a caregiver or nursing home for a family member is one of the most difficult decisions in life. It is a stressful, consuming task that is often made worse by the fact that a loved one has suffered a medical crisis. You may face great pressure to arrange care...Shingles
Shingles also known as Herpes Zoster causes a painful rash that usually is located on one side of the body. Shingles is caused by the varicellazoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can enter the nervous...When to Place a Loved One
Making the decision to place a loved one into long-term care can be difficult for families. It wasn’t too long after Maria’s husband had fallen outside of their home did she realize it was time to discuss his long-term care plans with the family. Maria’s family found...
August – September 2013
Al Harrington: Discusses His Years . . . And Yours