Category: August – September 2019

  • August – September 2019

    August – September 2019

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    The August-September 2019 Issue shines the spotlight on Breast Cancer awareness, from the cover story about the latest treatment options, clinical trials and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure fundraiser, to stories about a cancer survivor who went on to become a star paddler and a group of Maui paddlers who, in their…

  • Preventing Scammer Calls

    How often do we get and answer calls from telephone numbers of people who we think we know, only to discover it’s a telemarketer or scammer? Below are some prevention tips that may help.

    • NEVER pick up a call on the first ring until you confirm the Caller ID is legitimate.
    • IF the Caller ID is not in your address book and you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voice mail.
    • IF the Caller ID is in your address book under someone’s name but it doesn’t appear on your phone, chances are the Caller ID that’s listed has been spoofed.
    • IF you do pick up a call by mistake, hang up immediately. Even if you don’t fall for the scam, scammers can still sell your telephone number
      and whatever information they had gotten from your conversation with the scammer.
    • Use the default phone greeting rather than your own. This will mask your gender and age.
    • Routinely update your address book with the current numbers of family members, friends, services and other important contacts.
    • Use GOOGLE to determine if the Caller ID is legitimate. Also include the word “scam” to see if the Caller ID had been linked to scams.

    THE DEPARTMENT OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
    1060 Richards St., Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-768-7400 | Office hrs: Mon – Fri, 7:45 am – 4:30 pm
    www.honoluluprosecutor.org/contact-us/

    How often do we get and answer calls from telephone numbers of people who we think we know, only to discover it’s a telemarketer or scammer? Here are some prevention tips that may help…

  • Kick Out Your Freeloading Adult Kid(s)

    My office has received an increase in calls from parents, siblings or other relatives trying to kick an adult child out of their house. Often, the caller has already requested that the child leave, only to receive an adamant “no” from the unwelcome person. In one instance, a mother was selling the home that she loved to move into a small, one-bedroom apartment, hoping her son would not be allowed to live there.

    After a child’s loss of a job or a divorce, naturally, parents want to help, expecting the situation to be temporary, even though they say “stay as long as you want.” The caller may then explain how the child has made no efforts to move out. Why move out of the family home when you can stay there rent-free with meals included?

    Why I am being informed of these situations? Because there are often allegations of emotional, physical and financial abuse. The abuse occurs very subtly, frequently creeping up on the senior parent until they find themselves in a situation that seems inescapable. For instance, I have gotten multiple calls from parents who gave spending money to their child, which eventually turned into supporting them entirely. One father almost depleted his savings trying to bail his son out of repeated financial disasters.

    How do you divorce yourself from a child?

    If the abuse is physical, call 911. No exception. After the police arrest him or her, file for a restraining order. Our office’s Victim Advocate Services (808-768-7400) can help with that or there are instructions online as well. You can still call the police if the abuse is financial. But depending on the circumstances, the arrest may not be immediate. Additionally, a parent can call the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i (808-536-4302) and request help getting a Writ of Ejectment. This is a legal way of kicking a child out of the house.

    Why not just call the police and have the child removed for trespassing?

    The police may interpret the relationship the parent and the child have as a landlord/tenant situation. In that case, the parent will have to go through the court system to evict the child from the home. The process may take a month or longer. Whatever avenue the parent decides to pursue, it is not going to be easy. And because of that difficulty, many parents choose to remain in an unhealthy environment instead of living in a stress-free, happy home. The choice is yours.

    If you have questions about elder abuse, call or email:
    808-768-7536 | ElderAbuse@honolulu.gov

    My office has received an increase in calls from parents, siblings or other relatives trying to kick an adult child out of their house. Often, the caller has already requested that the child leave, only to receive an adamant “no” from the unwelcome person. In one instance, a mother was selling the home that she…

  • Saving for Unfunded Liabilities

    For many years, we have heard our federal and state politicians talk about “unfunded liabilities” of the government.

    An unfunded liability is any liability or expense that does not have sufficient savings or investments set aside to pay for it. The party responsible for paying the unfunded liability pays for it out of current income or savings or by borrowing the funds.

    The risk of an unfunded liability is two-fold:

    1) The payee may not receive payments which they are entitled to

    2) The payer may experience financial stress

    Although the government must address these issues in the coming years, we often overlook the fact that these issues may also extend into our personal lives.

    In our 20s, an unfunded liability might be an unexpected repair that could require using our savings or borrowing from our credit card.

    Later in life, unfunded liabilities can be more serious. For some, a health crisis could result in unexpected and unaffordable medical expenses.

    While the unfunded liabilities of the government may seem overwhelming, establishing a regular personal savings plan and investing wisely can help alleviate the burden of personal unfunded liabilities. Consulting a financial professional can assist you with evaluating and managing your portfolio to help mitigate your personal exposure.

    LEE FINANCIAL GROUP HAWAII, INC.
    808-988-8088 | info@leehawaii.com
    www.leehawaii.com

    For many years, we have heard our federal and state politicians talk about “unfunded liabilities” of the government. An unfunded liability is any liability or expense that does not have sufficient savings or investments set aside to pay for it. The party responsible for paying the unfunded liability pays for it out of current income…

  • Pay Medicare Supplements With SPIA

    With rising health care costs, many Medicare participants use Medicare supplement insurance to help cover expenses that Medicare does not.

    However, many still struggle to pay the premiums for their Medicare supplement insurance. Surprisingly, another insurance product — one that can guarantee a monthly income stream — might be the solution. A single premium immediate annuity — or a SPIA — can guarantee a source of income for life in exchange for a lump sum premium payment.

    SPIAs are the only product that can guarantee that you won’t outlive your savings and offer financial security for living a long life.

    Here’s how it works:

    1. Purchase a Medicare supplement policy with help from a licensed insurance agent.

    2. Your financial advisor can help you purchase a SPIA with a payout that will cover your Medicare supplement premium and other expenses.

    There’s no guarantee you can completely fund the premiums throughout the duration of your SPIA policy. But an SPIA can help keep your Medicare supplement policy in force by providing a guaranteed income.

    MUTUAL OF OMAHA, HAWAII DIVISION OFFICE
    1600 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1200, Honolulu HI 96814
    Garrett Wheeler | 808-942-8133 ext.248
    garrett.wheeler@mutualofomaha.com
    www.mutualofomaha.com
    Investment advisory products and services are made available through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Member FINRA/SIPC.

    With rising health care costs, many Medicare participants use Medicare supplement insurance to help cover expenses that Medicare does not. However, many still struggle to pay the premiums for their Medicare supplement insurance. Surprisingly, another insurance product — one that can guarantee a monthly income stream — might be the solution.

  • A Heartfelt Operating Manual

    How nice would it be if your child was born with an operating manual? There are many parenting books out there, but none that are specifically made for your child. The obvious reason for this is because the only person who can write an operating manual for a child, is the person who is raising the child.

    This idea really hits home for clients who have a minor child or a child with a disability and are concerned about who is going to love and raise him or her if they are no longer here. In this case, the most important estate planning document is the will. The will allows parents to appoint a guardian for their child if they are no longer able or alive to care for them.

    However, establishing a will alone is insufficient. It does not tell the guardian about the child or about how to love and raise him or her.

    To supplement the will, our nonprofit, the Heartfelt Legacy Foundation, created a memorandum entitled A Heartfelt Operating Manual. We recommend our clients fill out this memorandum to provide guidance to the appointed guardians in respect to specific child-rearing practices, and important choices and wishes regarding their child’s care — it also serves as a tool for parents to use in discussions with their guardian. The will, the memorandum and a conversation will prepare the guardian to provide what you wish — the best care possible.

    HEARTFELT LEGACY FOUNDATION (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
    Stephen B. Yim, Attorney at Law
    2054 S. Beretania St., Honolulu HI 96826
    808-524-0251 | www.stephenyimestateplanning.com | www.heartfeltlegacyfoundation.com

    How nice would it be if your child was born with an operating manual? There are many parenting books out there, but none that are specifically made for your child. The obvious reason for this is because the only person who can write an operating manual for a child, is the person who is raising…

  • What Is a POLST & Do I Need One?

    A POLST is a special document in which you say what measures should be used to keep you alive. The acronym stands for — Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. It’s different from an Advance Directive in that it will be followed by emergency personnel before you reach the hospital, provided that they are aware of its existence.

    Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are required to do whatever they can to restore and stabilize your heartbeat and breathing and take you to an appropriate facility for treatment. They will not read your Advance Directive and try to figure out how it might apply to your situation. But in some cases, resuscitation procedures are not appropriate or wanted.

    A POLST — a medical provider’s order — will be followed by the EMTs. Your Advance Directive will not come into play until you are in the hospital. But depending on what your Advance Directive says, the EMTs may not have followed your wishes by keeping you alive.

    Almost every state has a version of the POLST, but it is known by other names. In New York it is called a MOLST and in West Virginia it is called a MOST. Veterans Administration medical centers use the term SAPO, which stands for State Authorized Portable Order. Whatever the alphabet soup used to name the document, it generally works as described above.

    In Hawai‘i, it’s recommended that you print your POLST on lime green paper so it will be recognizable immediately. The trick is to have your POLST in a conspicuous place in case you need it. You can post a copy near your bed, or you can carry it with you when you leave the house. Just make sure your loved ones know that you have one and where to find it if an emergency occurs.

    Note that the POLST does not have to say “don’t resuscitate me.” It can say the exact opposite if that is your wish. Either way, most people do not need a POLST. However, for someone whose death is imminent and who doesn’t want to risk being kept alive artificially against his or her wishes, a POLST is essential.

    SCOTT MAKUAKANE, Counselor at Law Focusing exclusively on estate planning and trust law. www.est8planning.com 808-587-8227 | maku@est8planning.com

    A POLST is a special document in which you say what measures should be used to keep you alive. The acronym stands for — Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. It’s different from an Advance Directive in that it will be followed by emergency personnel before you reach the hospital, provided that they are aware…

  • If Your Kids Plan a Later-in-Life Family…

    Many couples are choosing to start families later in life compared to their parents and grandparents. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the mean age of first-time mothers rose from 25 in 2009 to 26.3 just five years later.* And, increasingly, mothers are waiting to have their first child at age 35 or older. This trend has financial implications. On one hand, parents may be more financially secure and have clear priorities for the future. On the other hand, these parents are closer to retirement, so balancing kids’ expenses with saving can be a juggle.

    If your kids choose to have their first child later in life, here are four key dos and don’ts to help them manage their finances with confidence:

    DO establish a solid financial foundation. Their household expenses will likely increase once they’re paying for childcare, additional checkups at the doctor or dentist and other items for their child. With this in mind, they should consider using the discretionary income they have today to shore up their financial position—prioritize paying off student loans, build an emergency fund (three to six months worth of expenses is a good benchmark) and consider paying more toward their mortgage if they own a home.

    DO boost savings. Creating a habit early of saving for major goals can help maintain savings momentum while they are focused on adapting to their new addition. They should harness the power of compound interest by contributing to their retirement accounts with each paycheck and setting aside funds for major goals, such as an annual vacation or home remodel.

    DON’T prioritize the child’s college education over retirement. Will they be making tuition payments in their final years of work or in retirement? If this is a possibility, it’s imperative that they create a plan to balance saving for both goals right away. The reality is many couples need to push back their retirement date, figure out how to earn additional income with a different job or cut back their travel plans to pay for their child’s education. While it’s understandable that they will want to provide for their child, keep in mind that health, layoffs or other circumstances outside of their control could change their retirement date. Their child has other options to pay for college — including scholarships, loans and work-study programs — that are not available to them if their retirement savings come up short.

    DON’T forget to update the estate plan. Ensuring they have adequate insurance coverage becomes a bigger priority when they have a child in the picture. If your son or daughter (or spouse) were to sustain an injury or pass away prematurely, they would need to ensure that their disability and life insurance coverage will cover their financial commitments and goals. They should also consider purchasing long-term care insurance to cover potential healthcare expenses in retirement.

    It’s exciting to dream and plan for an expanded family. But if your kids want a second opinion on how to juggle their financial priorities, they should meet with a financial advisor.

    MICHAEL W. K. YEE, CFP
    1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1100, Honolulu HI 96814
    808-952-1222, ext. 1240 | michael.w.yee@ampf.com
    Michael W. K. Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CLTC, CRPC ®, is a Private Wealth Advisor, Certified Financial Planner ™ practitioner with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 32 years. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. ©2019 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

    *Mathews, T.J. and Hamilton, Brady E., “Mean Age of Mothers is on the Rise: United States, 2000-2014,” National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief No. 232, January 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db232.pdf.

    Many couples are choosing to start families later in life compared to their parents and grandparents. And, increasingly, mothers are waiting to have their first child at age 35 or older. This trend has financial implications. On one hand, parents may be more financially secure and have clear priorities for the future. On the other…

  • Choosing the Right Home Care Provider

    With so many options available, its hard to know if you chose the right home care provider for your loved one. Here are four essential questions to ask when you’re evaluating your home care partner.

    1. Is the care plan being followed?

    A care plan is specific to your loved one and any deviations could mean they’re not getting the care they require. Changes should be discussed and approved ahead of time.

    2. How reliable are they?

    Are caregivers on time? Do they consistently provide a high level of care? Reliability and trust are the foundation for a strong partnership; instability can cause unwarranted stress.

    3. How well do they communicate?

    A good home care provider communicates with everyone involved in the process. Family members, care managers, caregivers and your loved one should all have an active voice.

    4. Do they check up on employees?

    It’s important for your care provider to be hands-on in managing their employees.

    By ensuring that you’ve partnered with the right care provider, you’ll give yourself and your loved one the peace of mind needed to make home care successful for your family.

    HOME CARE BY ALTRES MEDICAL
    808-591-4930 | homecare@altres.com
    www.altreshomecare.com

    With so many options available, its hard to know if you chose the right home care provider for your loved one. Here are four essential questions to ask when you’re evaluating your home care partner…

  • Positive Physical Approach to Dementia Care

    People living with dementia (PLWD) need guidance, human connection and a sense of independence. In my professional practice, we use the Positive Physical Approach (PPA). This innovative modality developed by Teepa Snow teaches family caregivers more effective ways to understand and communicate with their loved ones and all people with dementia.

    Approach from the front. All humans are visually oriented. Approaching a PLWD from the front at approximately six feet away will give them the time they need to adjust to your presence.

    Go slow. Starting at six feet or farther away, begin taking steps toward your PLWD one second apart. As we age, our reflexes and mental processing gradually slow down. Taking this into account, a PLWD needs a few more seconds to process what they see, hear, think and feel.

    Call out their name. Sometimes a PLWD can be lucid but other times he or she can forget who you are. The best way to make your entrance is to introduce yourself and ask them for their name. Try saying “Hi, I’m Jane and you are?” They may respond with their first name or simply “I’m your mother.” Either way, you are allowing them to tell you who they are in that moment of time.

    “Offer” your hand. Notice that I did not say “take their hand.” The goal is to look like a friend instead of a threat. Instead of approaching with a
    quick handshake, maintain the connection. We can accomplish this by switching into a hand under-hand position.

    Get to the side. It’s important to remember nonverbal cues and body positioning. Avoid a dominant, confrontational stance by repositioning yourself into a supportive stance. This will relieve agitation and provide a sense of comfort for the PLWD.

    Get low. Position yourself at or below the PLWD’s eye level. A more submissive position will allow the PLWD to open up and feel at ease in your presence.

    These positive approach techniques taught in caregiving workshops help maintain the dignity of the PLWD by enabling loved ones to perform activities with them rather than being perceived as doing things to them.

    HAWAII MEMORY FRIENDS LLC
    Caregiver Education & Consultation
    Mapuana Taamu, Certified PAC Trainer
    808-469-5330 | mfriends808@gmail.com
    Caregiver’s workshop: IT’S ALL IN YOUR APPROACH, scheduled at Pohai Nani (August, September, October), Kapiolani CC (September, October, November). Contact Hawaii Memory Friends for time and details.

    People living with dementia need guidance, human connection and a sense of independence. In my professional practice, we use the Positive Physical Approach. This innovative modality developed by Teepa Snow teaches family caregivers more effective ways to understand and communicate with their loved ones and all people with dementia.

  • Caregivers: Remember to Breathe

    Almost one-third of the adult U.S. population is currently caregivers for an ill or disabled relative. The majority are female and 60 percent are employed part- or full-time. A 2015 survey conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, Caregiving in the U.S., found approximately 34.2 million Americans provided unpaid care to ages 50 or older in the last 12 months, while 43.5 million provided unpaid care to an adult or child within a 12-month period.

    Caregivers need to take time to care of themselves so they stay well enough to care for others. Realize that your own health and well-being could suffer if you don’t take care to be well before tending to others needs.

    Types of Respite Care

    It may be hard to imagine leaving your loved one in someone else’s care, but taking a break can be one of the best things you do for yourself — as well as the person you’re caring for. Most communities have some type of respite care available, such as:

    In-home respite. Healthcare aides come to your home to provide companionship, nursing services or both.

    Adult care centers and programs. Some centers provide care for both older adults and young children, and the two groups may spend time together for the benefit of both age groups.

    Short-term nursing homes. Some assisted living homes, memory care homes and nursing homes accept people needing care during short stays while caregivers are away. Set reasonable goals and plan accordingly.

    Family Leave Act Nearly 60 percent of our nation’s caregivers work outside of the home. If you work outside the home and are a caregiver, you may begin to feel overwhelmed. If you do, you might want to consider taking a leave from your job — especially during times of heightened need or hospice.

    Employees covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act may be able to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year to care for relatives. Ask your human resources office about unpaid leave options.

    In Hawai‘i, there is financial assistance for family caregivers who work 30 hours a week through the Kupuna Caregivers Program. Contact the Hawaii Aging and Disability Resource Center.

    If you are like many caregivers, you might a hard time asking for help. Instead, take advantage of Hawai‘i’s resources for caregivers.

    RIGHT AT HOME
    In Home Care & Assistance
    808-797-2111 | rick@eldercareoahu.com
    www.eldercareoahu.com

    Almost one-third of the adult U.S. population is currently caregivers for an ill or disabled relative. The majority are female and 60 percent are employed part- or full-time. Caregivers need to take time to care of themselves so they stay well enough to care for others. Realize that your own health and well-being could suffer…

  • Begin a Journey of Compassion & Hope

    Do you know anyone who has cancer? Do you know what to say or do? We know — and we are bringing that skill set to the workplace.

    Typically, we all work hard, provide for our families, plan for the future of our children and look forward to retirement someday. However, with one phone call from your doctor, all of that is put on hold, an unplanned journey begins, priorities and perspectives change — and it can all be overwhelming.

    Compassion for Cancer Caregivers trains volunteers to step up and step in to provide hope through compassion for coworkers and their families who are battling cancer. Trained volunteers create a network of support among the friends, families, coworkers and church family of the patient and the caregiver. This support network periodically provides small acts of kindness. It could be as simple as delivering a meal, walking the dog, trimming the hedge, driving them to an appointment or just listening to what they are experiencing. This can make a world of difference to the caregiver and the patient.

    We know. We, too, have walked the road as both a cancer patient and a caregiver.

    Participants learn about the “wall of silence” and how to work through it, about the “elephant in the room” and the worst thing to do about it, about what is helpful to say and do, about the unspoken fears and concerns (both theirs and ours), about the impact of cancer on families with focus on the cancer caregiver and about setting boundaries. Participants will leave each class with something they can do immediately in support of the patient or caregiver.

    In addition to training, Compassion for Cancer Caregivers provides compassion kits through the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge and the cancer centers at Pali Momi, Kapi‘olani and Queen’s Medical Centers. The kit includes a green zippered tote, a plush fleece blanket, an adult coloring book, coloring pencils and a sharpener, earbuds, a few colorful notebook journals, a note of hope and gratitude, and a brochure. You may visit our website to learn more.

    Many forms of kindness and compassion make a tremendous difference in turning a difficult journey into a voyage of faith and hope.

    COMPASSION FOR CANCER CAREGIVERS (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
    808-754-8088 | cfcchawaii@gmail.com
    www.compassionforcancercaregivers.org

    Do you know anyone who has cancer? Do you know what to say or do? We know — and we are bringing that skill set to the workplace. Typically, we all work hard, provide for our families, plan for the future of our children and look forward to retirement someday. However, with one phone call…