February – March 2018
Maintaining a close relationship is more than saying, “I love you.”
Thanatology Makes Us Think
I am honored that Marian University accepted me into the Masters of Thanatology program this past Fall. “Thanatology? What is that?” is the common remark I hear when I tell people of my new adventure. A thanatologist is a designated thinker about death. They help...Making the Call for Help
On average, I get one to three calls a day from the public seeking advice about elder abuse. Fortunately, only about 20 percent of the calls involve matters needing my office’s involvement. The rest are from people that see “elder abuse” in our name and hope we can help with their situation.
Love, Honor and a Final Resting Place
Many people ask to have their ashes spread at places that hold treasured memories for them, and Disney theme parks are not the exclusive venue for these requests.More often than you realize, human ashes are scattered covertly at sports stadiums, concert halls and golf courses.
Are You Ready for Emergencies?
The wrath of natural disasters has been on full display as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and floods have ravaged large swaths of the world. While our first thoughts go to the victims of these tragic events, it may also cause you to step back and think about your own preparedness for a natural disaster.
The Healthy Brain Initiative
Recognizing the growing burden of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Alzheimer’s Association launched “The Healthy Brain Initiative” in 2013 to improve the diagnosis of dementia, and find and institute preventive measures.
A Place Called Home
Aging is a natural process that no one wants to face alone. Many people choose to live alone in their home as they age, but find themselves depressed, lonely and not eating right. There are many benefits to living in a retirement community.
Hawaii Five-0: Old Made New Again
Hawaii Five-0 flawlessly executed the eighth season’s Sunset on The Beach premiere. The event attracts thousands of fans from across the world, cheering as the cast arrive at the red carpet, like former Honolulu resident Judy Glassmaker, who returns every year and who grew up watching the original series.
Kupuna Caregivers Program Launches
In 2017, Hawai‘i legislators and Gov. David Ige created the Kupuna Caregivers Program. This program helps family caregivers who work at least 30 hours per week outside the home by providing a $70-per-day benefit in services that could help make home caregiving for aging family members more affordable.
Home-Based Seniors Help Patients
Yoko Futa, an 83-year-old former clerk for the Dept. of Transportation, volunteers for about 10 hours a week, helping patients at Queen’s hospitals. Yoko Futa is a member of The Queen’s Medical Center’s Volunteers in Place program, a way for community-minded people and groups to serve at home, centers or sites.
Caregiving Overseas
Many family caregivers come home to Hawai‘i to assist aging parents. But how about caregiving overseas? When my mother died, Dad was 93 and slipping into dementia. His younger brother had retired to the Philippines, with his wife and insisted on providing care for his older brother, who had done so much for his family.
FUN ’N GAMES: Think Outside The Box
How does one keep the interest of the elderly? It can be challenging. Nature walks, painting, board games, puzzles, word and picture games are among the typical activities of the elderly.
You Need Skilled Nursing … What?
If you’re like most of us in Hawai‘i, you have no clue what “skilled nursing” means unless you have spent time in a Skilled Nursing and Rehab Facility (SNF). Some think it is the last stop, a depressing place where sick people go when they can no longer take care of themselves.
Kūpuna Travel Tips
Last November, my mother’s side of the family flew to Las Vegas to see my cousin get married. Family trips usually include everyone, from newborns to our wise elders. So, of course, grandma came along for the trip!
Ruby: A True Gem
As a handpicked Labradoodle, Ruby is highly trained and recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a certified therapy dog. She loves her time visiting children and adults in hospitals or in their homes, and she enjoys the special relationships she has meeting and greeting everyone.
Tips for Healthy Kidneys
March is National Kidney Month. Did you know that the risk for developing kidney disease in Hawai‘i is 30 percent higher than the mainland? One of the reasons we have a higher risk in Hawai‘i is due to our ethnicities, including Native Hawaiian, Filipino, Pacific...Aloha Everyone
he Japanese have been utilizing a technology to transform ordinary tap water into ionized, micro-clustered, concentrated alkaline and acidic waters for decades. It started in the animal husbandry and agriculture sector, eventually moving into mainstream applications for human consumption and use.
SHINGLES: What You Need to Know
Shingles is a blistering rash that is caused by a virus called herpes zoster. It effects approximately one million people in America every year. The herpes zoster virus, what we call shingles, is actually the same virus as the chicken pox you may have experienced as a child.
5 Healthy Valentine’s Day Ideas
There is no better gift that you can give your loved one than taking care of your health and staying fit. Living well means that you will be able to enjoy your time together for decades to come.
Hawai‘i and Hanafuda Pō‘ai
I started Hanafuda Po¯‘ai where players of all ages can come together to play, socialize. We now have two groups, at the historic pumping station in Kakaako, and at Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center. A lot of seniors live by themselves. When you see a young kid playing with an old person, it’s very magical
Youth Inspiring Seniors
The One Mile Project at ‘Iolani stands out from traditional academic classes. It is a high school class that centers on building empathy and understanding for kūpuna in our
local community; it seeks to address the challenges that many kūpuna face in their daily lives. Students learn about aging, then develop and implement their own projects.
What Is The Blue Zones Project?
Children who attend Seagull Schools in Kapolei have a special bond with seniors at Seagulls Adult Day Center. Not only do the kūpuna and keiki regularly meet to play bingo, exercise on the lawn and do arts and crafts, but they also dine together.
Healthy Habits of a Centenarian
ukiko Murata, who will turn 102 in March, has a sharp wit and sunny outlook on life. To stay healthy, she eats fresh foods, takes classes at the University of Hawai‘i and plays hanafuda (Japanese card game) every Thursday at the Lanakila Senior Center, together with her daughter, Joanne Murata, and son-in-law, James Kramer. Yukiko shared advice with Generations Magazine:
Age Bias in the Workplace
Bias is everywhere, including the presumption that you might be too old to work even when lengthening lifetimes allow you to do more for much longer. Nobody says it is easy for those of us in our 50s, 60s, or beyond, to overcome what others may think.
Love Through the Ages
Our 20s was an important time. We learned to love ourselves. Loving who we are prepared us to love others. It was an exciting time, followed by intimate relationships, having children or pets and, later in life, connecting with the community and the world by traveling or volunteering.
Making Sense of Widowhood
Recently, I was having dinner with a number of close girlfriends and their daughters. Afterwards and on the road home, my daughter commented that I was the only woman at the event who was not widowed. My friends are all in the early to mid-60s. Of course, I knew this...Romancing the Dance
Faith and Benny Agbayani celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this year, and both agree that the success of their partnership is doing things together. Maintaining a close relationship is more than saying, “I love you;” it’s taking on challenges as a team, mastering new skills and learning together. Overcoming obstacles in life requires commitment, sacrifice and a willingness to cooperate. The Agbayanis do all these things well, but simply call it “sticking together.”
Hospice Hawai’i Taps New Leader
In 1979, 11 visionary pioneers founded a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people die with dignity in Hawai‘i. Since then, Hospice Hawai‘i’s remarkable team has been committed to enhancing the quality of life of patients and their families through an...Where Do Our Seniors Live?
Kokua Council has received data on the age demographics for each Hawai‘i State House District, and for each zip code. The numbers are based on 2010 estimates of population and allow us to study the number of residents ages 62+ living in certain geographic districts.
Always a Fun Day at the County Fair
Who says there’s hardly any fun at a county fair? Seniors attended the Mayor’s Annual Craft & County Fair, held Nov. 18 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall. Craftspeople sold beautiful handmade items and Uncle sold his paintings. Singing? Can’t go...Being with You Through Multimedia
As Generations Magazine’s goal is to provide our senior community with important information on aging, we have tailored our other media to meet that same goal. We feel our resources are so important to the aging population that we have now expanded into television,...
Events in March–April 2023
-
Caregiver Stress and Wellness
Caregiver Stress and Wellness
March 3, 2023
Imagine walking out of your home and seeing a bear! Feeling stressed just thinking about it? Good! These bursts of stress help keep us alive, active, and motivated. The stress of caregiving and modern life doesn't happen in short bursts like with a bear sighting. Caregiving stress is persistent and can damage our mental and physical health.
VIRTUAL• Registration (complimentary) is required
• More information is available from The Caregiver Foundation at 808-625-3782 or email to info@thecaregiverfoundation.orgCaregiver Stress and WellnessCaregiver Stress and Wellness
March 3, 2023
Imagine walking out of your home and seeing a bear! Feeling stressed just thinking about it? Good! These bursts of stress help keep us alive, active, and motivated. The stress of caregiving and modern life doesn't happen in short bursts like with a bear sighting. Caregiving stress is persistent and can damage our mental and physical health.
VIRTUAL• Registration (complimentary) is required
• More information is available from The Caregiver Foundation at 808-625-3782 or email to info@thecaregiverfoundation.org -
SMP HAWAII 2023 Web Series on Fraud and Abuse
SMP HAWAII 2023 Web Series on Fraud and Abuse
–
March 13, 2023Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii invites you to its 20/23 Web Series on Fraud Prevention: Scam Free in 2023. Learn from Hawaii residents, and local and national experts, including top security officers from American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit - Hawaii Department of the Attorney General; Better Business Bureau and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Foundation.
VIRTUAL -
The Realities of Aging
The Realities of Aging
–
March 15, 2023
You're invited to join host Percy Ihara today for our monthly workshop at the Ala Moana Hotel. Topics include finances, gerontology, legal mistakes, support services, long-term care options, reverse mortgages and many more. Call 808-600-4383 to RSVP. Seating is limited. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Ala Moana Hotel -
Effective Communication Strategies with Calvin Hara
Effective Communication Strategies with Calvin Hara
–
March 23, 2023Alzheimer's disease and other dementias gradually diminish a person's ability to communicate. Communication with a person with Alzheimer's requires patience, understanding and good listening skills. The strategies that will be explored can help both you and the person with dementia understand each other better.
VIRTUAL -
SMP HAWAII 2023 Web Series on Fraud and Abuse
SMP HAWAII 2023 Web Series on Fraud and Abuse
–
April 10, 2023Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii invites you to its 20/23 Web Series on Fraud Prevention: Scam Free in 2023. Learn from Hawaii residents, and local and national experts, including top security officers from American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit - Hawaii Department of the Attorney General; Better Business Bureau and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Foundation.
VIRTUAL -
The Realities of Aging
The Realities of Aging
–
April 19, 2023
You're invited to join host Percy Ihara today for our monthly workshop at the Ala Moana Hotel. Topics include finances, gerontology, legal mistakes, support services, long-term care options, reverse mortgages and many more. Call 808-600-4383 to RSVP. Seating is limited. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Ala Moana Hotel410 Atkinson DriveHonolulu, HI