Many claim they are leaving a legacy, yet Henry Kapono Ka‘aihue lives his every day, instilling pure aloha into everything he does. In his alleged “Golden Years,” when most are retired or slowing down, this remarkable music man has no intention of doing any of that any time soon.
All grief starts as anticipatory grief. Dr. Daniel Miller defines the term “anticipatory grief” as the “process of grieving that starts prior to a loved one passing away.”
Data from the Federal Trade Commission show that more consumers than ever report falling prey to romance scamming, also called “catphishing.” The total reported lost over the past five years has now reached $1.3 billion. How Do They Do It?
Estate planning involves protecting what is important and then passing it on to our loved ones and future generations. Many concepts central to Hawaiian culture are applicable to estate planning. Starting with the concept of ‘ohana, all the way through lokahi, estate planning and the culture of our islands can interweave to form a rich tapestry of aloha.
We all know couples who fight about money. You may even be in a relationship where finances are a source of tension. It’s no mystery why these kinds of conflicts are so common — money fuels our ability to take care of ourselves and our dependents. Managing it requires discipline and a plan, but often, couples don’t see eye-to-eye on what that means.
Changes are coming in 2023 regarding when Medicare Part B coverage starts. Please forward this article to those who may need it.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the number of Medicare beneficiaries in Hawai‘i has grown to 281,091. Seventy-two percent of beneficiaries have prescription drug coverage through Medicare Parts C and D. Even so, prescriptions can be expensive. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is intended to help lower copays for covered medications.
During my 12-plus years in the Medicare health insurance field, I have talked to many people aging into Medicare. In our discussions, I am consistently told that they never get sick and take few drugs, so they are just looking for the cheapest plan. I am always surprised, because I have noticed that health problems tend to manifest as seniors move into their 60s, 70s and beyond.
Protect your identity and help prevent healthcare fraud by guarding your Medicare card like you would a credit card. Scammers are expanding their targets, especially kūpuna, and they can be very convincing. A fraudster recently contacted a Honolulu resident, stating the resident’s name and date of birth. The con artist then offered to replace the resident’s Medicare card if he would share his Social Security Number. Luckily, the resident did not cooperate with this scammer.
We’ve all heard the saying, “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” And while exercise is always at the top of the list of what you can do to stay healthy, it’s so easy to run out of time and defer it to tomorrow.
Eating together is good. Read “Eating Together” (www.generations808.com/eatingtogether) in our last issue. But Generations overlooked something in that article.
Medicine is an important part of treatment for many health conditions. For medications to be most effective and work safely, you need to take them exactly as prescribed. If you experience problems, such as new symptoms or side effects, talk to your doctor immediately.
A healthy smile requires everyone to commit to three simple actions: Brush twice a day, floss daily and see your dentist twice a year. You may have also considered new technology to make your oral hygiene routine a little easier and more efficient. So, which is better, manual or electric?
Caregivers are some of the most selfless people you will find, constantly putting the needs of others before their own. In Hawai‘i, over 65,000 people are family caregivers for almost 30,000 loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. In my seven years of experience working with family caregivers, I’ve seen caregivers who make many sacrifices, sometimes neglecting their own health and often postponing vacations for years. If this is you, it’s time to focus on self-renewal.
Much more than just a time-filler, live music holds therapeutic benefits for nursing home residents. According to a 2016 study, live music has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body, allowing for a stronger immune system, reduction in depression, better memory and many other benefits. It’s no wonder that nursing homes schedule in a healthy dose of live music!
Those of us in the home healthcare business have the opportunity to witness and share amazing stories of families in need each and every day. These stories come from the connections and meaningful moments between care providers and those they care for.
I like to think of myself as a realist. I know we are all going to die and that 75 is actually not the new 50. Sorry to disappoint you. It ends up that 75 is really more like — wait for it — the old 74. What is also true is that time does fly by when you’re having fun.
Turns out, you just might find more than two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun at your local McDonald’s. Venetia Angel, 63, routinely visited her local McDonald’s in Pukalani on Maui. One evening, she approached a group of senior ladies who were playing cards. She noticed them there often. That evening, she asked what they were playing. Although she did not know the game called “books and straights,” they insisted she join them the next night.
Rose Singarella and Mladen Karcic, both 53 when they met through an online dating site, did not wade in the shallows during their initial conversations, but plunged right into the deep end. Mladen’s mother was seriously ill; Rose was still recovering from the loss of her fiance. She had promised him that she would look for love again. So with pain still fresh from her own loss, Rose sought to help Mladen grapple with his mother’s illness and eventual death. It just doesn’t get any deeper than that.
Valley Isle Chocolates, a small family business on Maui, is beginning the New Year with a new kitchen space, new equipment, new packaging and new ideas for the future. Now, they are very busy making chocolates, developing recipes and selling their wares at many farmers markets and local brick-and-mortar stores. At the end of last year, Susan Schwartzkopf “and sons” moved production from their certified home kitchen to a commercial kitchen space in Kahului.
Downsizing sounds like a great idea… until you begin to wrap your head around the massive task of moving. The thought of leaving a longtime home, with all of its associations — the height chart on the laundry room doorframe, the grave of a beloved pet — can be heart-wrenching. Add to that the cost of moving and the burden of offloading half (or more) of your possessions, and the project can quickly overwhelm even the most capable older adult.
Sen. Mazie K. Hirono met with the Kupuna Collective, a network of support organizations that focus on maximizing the health, independence and engagement of Hawai‘i’s older adults, for a roundtable conversation about supporting seniors in Hawai‘i in early October 2022.
The 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security (SS) beneficiaries in January 2023. Increased payments to more than 7 million Supplemental Social Security (SSI) beneficiaries will begin on Dec. 30, 2022.
The January-February 2023 issue of GENERATIONS MAGAZINE features Hawaii music legend and icon Henry Kapono and how, at nearly 75, this remarkable musician keeps his career and family rolling happily forward. We’ll give you the breakdown on this month’s increase in Social Security benefits. Editor Debra Lordan takes a look a love, chocolates and senior romances in three articles. And everyone’s favorite radio personality and artist extraordinaire Frank B. Shaner has some off-beat thoughts on growing older.
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.
• Registration (complimentary) is required
• More information is available from The Caregiver Foundation at 808-625-3782 or email to info@thecaregiverfoundation.org
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.
• Registration (complimentary) is required
• More information is available from The Caregiver Foundation at 808-625-3782 or email to info@thecaregiverfoundation.org
–
March 13, 2023
Senior 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.
–
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
–
March 23, 2023
Alzheimer'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.
–
April 10, 2023
Senior 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.
–
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