Category: June – July 2013

Combating Investment Fraud

Unfortunately, too many seniors across the United States fall victim to investment fraud. It is a growing trend we see here in Hawai‘i where criminals are targeting our seniors. To protect yourself, family and other loved ones, Hawai‘i’s BBB provides a few sound tips on how to spot the red flags and avoid investment fraud.

Red Flags For Fraud And Persuasion Tactics

How do successful, financially intelligent people fall prey to investment fraud? Researchers have found that investment fraudsters hit their targets with an array of persuasion techniques that are tailored to the victim’s mental profile.

No such thing as a “Guaranteed Return”: Every investment carries a certain degree of risk. Safe investments generally yield very low returns. Most con-artists spend a lot of time trying to convince investors that extremely high returns
are guaranteed, don’t believe it!

Reciprocity: Scammers often try to entice investors through free investment seminars; they hope that by doing a small favor for you, such as a free lunch, you will invest in their pitch. There is never a reason to make a quick decision on
an investment. If you attend a free seminar, take the material home and research it.

Pressure to invest right now: Scammers often tell their victims that this is a once in a lifetime offer and it they won’t see it again. It is important to resist the pressure to invest immediately and take the necessary time to investigate before
committing your hard earned money.

What You Can Do to Avoid Investment Fraud

Ask questions: Scammers are counting on you not to investigate before you invest. It is imperative that you take the time to do your own independent research.

Research before you invest: Unsolicited emails, fliers and company investment letters should never be used as the only basis for your investment decisions. Understand a company’s business and its products or services before investing.

Know the salesperson: Take the time to check out the person offering the investment before you invest — even if you know the person. Always find out whether the securities salespeople who contact you are licensed to sell securities in your state and whether they or their firms have had run-ins with regulators or other investors. You can check out brokers and their licensing for free with FINRA’s database and call Hawai‘i’s BBB for information on any firm they work for.

During 2013, Hawai‘i’s BBB, in conjunction with FINRA, will be educating the public on investment fraud. If you have any questions or would like someone from our office to speak with your group, give us a call at 808.536.6956.

Better Business Bureau, Hawai‘i
808-536-6956 | 877-222-6551 Neighbor Islands

www.hawaii.bbb.org

Unfortunately, too many seniors across the United States fall victim to investment fraud. It is a growing trend we see here in Hawai‘i where criminals are targeting our seniors. To protect yourself, family and other loved ones, Hawai‘i’s BBB provides a few sound tips on how to spot the red flags and avoid investment fraud.…
Norm Chow: Bringing Home the Game

Norm Chow reflects on his first year on the field.

“I always tell the kids, We stand on the shoulders of the great men and women that have gone on before us.”

By most reports, 62 is now the most common retirement age by far. Yet, many folks are adjusting to the poor economy and retiring later at 65 or older. Then there’s Norm Chow…

In late 2011, at the ripe retirement age of 65, when most people would be counting down the days to senior benefits, Chow agreed to a five-year deal for his first collegiate head coaching job as the University of Hawai‘i’s 22nd head football coach.

The Punahou School alum and Palolo Valley native succeeds Greg McMackin, who retired after four seasons as head coach of the Warriors. Chow is the first Asian-American head coach of a major college football program.

Home Game

Starting over with a new job in a new state with a new team wasn’t perhaps the ideal scenario, but it was one for which Chow was ready.

He was ready to return to his native state and he was prepared to support Hawai‘i’s home team. Chow admits that when UH was looking for a new head coach, he already had a job and didn’t have much interest. But after the first interview, he says he realized how important the football program is to Hawai‘i. “It’s the only game in town, only one team … and people want to rally around this program,” he says. “Everyone understands how important our football program is to Hawai‘i, and we just need unconditional support from our alumni and the community. Our kids are trying so hard and we need the support. It’s all about supporting the kids!”

Working For A Living

Beyond given an opportunity to coach in Hawai‘i, Chow is “staying in the game” because he enjoys “supporting the kids of the future” and his role as coach. And he’s not alone. The Sloan Center on Aging and Work, for example, cites data showing that nine of 10 older workers enjoy their jobs. And why not? Many of us— like Chow — work a lifetime to learn the skills and gain the recognition to hold our hard-earned job titles.

Chow’s first coaching job was as the head coach at Waialua High, Oahu, from 1970 –72. He then began his 27-year stint at Brigham Young University (BYU), serving in a variety of coaching and recruiting capacities.

One of the major features of head coaching in college football is the high turnover rate for jobs. College coaches routinely change jobs, rarely staying at a school for more than a decade. Yet Chow remained with BYU for nearly three decades. “I stayed at BYU because my wife Diane and I wanted to raise our children in a normal environment,” Chow explains. “Coaching doesn’t lead to a very normal lifestyle, as you know. We made a commitment that all four of our children would attend the same elementary and high schools.”

The following 10 years his coaching experience included North Carolina State, USC, Tennessee Titans, UCLA and, finally, Utah.

Work Hard. Play Hard.

“My father instilled the hard work ethic and [encouraged us] to make something of ourselves,”
The national median age is 50 for college football head coaches in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (I FBS). Yet Chow says being an older coach doesn’t hold him back. Rather, by working with student athletes in a college atmosphere he “tries to stay young with the kids.” He says, “I still have the adrenaline going, the challenges to compete. I’m 67 now and still enjoy the wins and I still don’t enjoy the losses … but nothing beats a Saturday afternoon football game.”

Considered one of the top offensive coaches in collegiate football history, Chow works hard and expects the same of his staff.

When first hired at UH, Chow set the tone during his introductory press conference, “I’m 65 years old. I’ll out-work any of you. We will have the hardest working coaching staff around. Without question. They will not be hired, if they are not willing to go to work.”

Many of his values, Chow says, come from his upbringing. “My father instilled the hard work ethic and [encouraged us] to make something of ourselves,” he recalls. “We got up early at 5 a.m., ate breakfast and went to school.”

He expects commitment from his players as well. Unlike head coaches at other levels, college coaching staffs are solely responsible for the composition and development of players on the team. The ability to recruit and develop top players plays a major role in a college team’s success.

Chow’s former players can attest to that. “[With Norm as head coach], UH will be an extremely hard-working team that’s well prepared,” says Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders quarterback, Heisman Trophy Winner and former USC quarterback. “He will focus on winning, education and just bettering the young kids that he’s tutoring.”†

A New Game

After 13 years of the Run-and-Shoot Offense scheme that was installed by former Head Coach June Jones, Chow has implemented a Pro Style Offense scheme, which is more complex than typical college offenses and resembles those predominantly used at the NFL professional level.

Another major change was a switch in conferences. The UH team was a part of the Western Athletic Conference until July 2012, when the team joined the Mountain West Conference (MWC).

As first-year MWC members, the team finished the season 3–9 overall, 1–7 in the MWC to finish in a tie for ninth place.

“It was to so hard last year to see the losses in the locker room and see the hurt in our kids’ eyes. It has been hard,” Chow admits. “But we didn’t quit and fought hard last year. You know, we played a tremendously difficult schedule. We didn’t play that easy money game like most Division I schools.

“And we will not shy away from the challenge. We need to play better, smarter football this year. We just need to use better schemes. People today are not patient, so we need to get it going.”

Part of “getting it going” is Chow’s focus on recruiting, which includes keeping top local recruits in Hawai‘i. In this respect, Chow has had to change his recruiting pitch. For years as a Mainland coach and recruiter, he worked to convince local kids to leave Hawai‘i. Now he’s asking them to stay home and to make us proud. “I tell them, You can play good football here in Hawai‘i — just like on the Mainland. Plus, you will get a good education here at UH.”

Trevor Mattich, former BYU offensive lineman and ESPN analyst agrees. “[At BYU] I knew then that our talent was always maximized and no matter what happened, our guys were in a position to win. Off the field though, he’s even a better fit because he’s from Honolulu and knowing the family values of the Polynesian culture is critical. He understands that.”†

Off The Field

But coming home after 40 years of living and working on the Mainland was hard at times. “I married a gal from the Mainland and I have been away so long, but I make the best of the situation,” Chow says, “Hawai‘i is my home and you can’t beat that.”

Surprisingly, his wife Diane is not a football fan, and Chow notes that it’s been hard on her all these years. “When she goes to the games, she doesn’t watch the game. She just screams to cut out all the noise,” he says. “She raised our children, is a terrific gal and she deals with our crazy schedule and life.”

When it comes to retirement, Chow says he doesn’t give it much thought. “I am sure that day will come … my concern is that my wife and I don’t have any hobbies so that will be difficult and we need to figure that out. But, I tell my wife that our next job will be counting sand pebbles.”

The University of Hawai‘i Alumni Association (UHAA) connects alumni and friends with the university and with each other. Alumni can become an UHAA member and support the alma mater in many essential ways, including supporting UH athletics. For more information, visit uhalumni.org or the official site for UH Athletic Fundraising at www.koaanuenue.org. †Player quotes courtesy of www.hawaiiathletics.com.

†Photos courtesy of Hawai‘i Athletics

Cover & Feature Story Photography by Brian Suda

There are so many ways that you can support UH students and programs.

Donor Ivanelle Hoe and Davis M.K. Kane, recipient of the Sakamoto-Hoe Scholarship

Charitable estate and income tax planning is a powerful “give back” because this planning can provide substantial financial and tax benefits to you and your family, while supporting UH. Our team at the University of Hawai‘i Foundation is committed to helping you discover the best charitable tax strategies to achieve all of your financial, tax and charitable giving goals. The University of Hawai‘i Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises private funds to support the University of Hawai‘i System. The mission of the University of Hawai‘i Foundation is to unite donors’ passions with the University of Hawai‘i’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawai‘i and our future generations. If you would like to learn how you can support UH students, programs, research and faculty, with your estate or highly appreciated assets, please contact us in confidence at:

Office of Estate & Gift Planning
giftplanning@uhfoundation.org
(808) 956-8034
www.UHFLegacyGift.org

By most reports, 62 is now the most common retirement age by far. Yet, many folks are adjusting to the poor economy and retiring later at 65 or older. Then there’s Norm Chow…
Update: Queen’s Medical Center vs. Koga
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has featured several stories about Karen Okada, a 95-year-old woman who signed a “Death with Dignity Declaration” and a “Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Instructions” back in 1998. Both documents purport to control “in all circumstances.”

In mid-2012, shortly after Karen was admitted to The Queen’s Medical Center for treatment for pneumonia, the doctors at Queen’s determined that Karen was essentially brain dead, or, in any event, had “permanently” lost the ability to participate in medical treatment decisions. Accordingly, Queen’s wanted to enforce the provisions of her Death with Dignity Declaration and withdraw the feeding tube that had been surgically placed in Karen’s side more than six months before she was admitted to Queen’s.

On the other hand, Karen’s health-care agent (her brother), in consultation with doctors who are not associated with Queen’s, disagreed with the conclusions reached by the Queen’s physicians. What Karen’s agent knew, and the Queen’s physicians did not find relevant, was that shortly before she came down with pneumonia, Karen was conscious and able to interact meaningfully with her family and caregivers. During the time she was at Queen’s, Karen was unresponsive when doctors examined her, but she reportedly smiled at least twice at her adult grandchildren and nodded to her grandson when he asked her whether she was able to breathe freely.

Although Karen breathes on her own, she has to do so through a tube that was inserted into her windpipe. At some point in time, her family hopes the tube can be removed, which will enable Karen to eat normally. In the meantime, Karen has to be fed through a tube that goes through her side and into her stomach.

Because Queen’s policy is to give precedence to an advance health-care directive over a durable power of attorney in all events, and because Queen’s believed that the terms of the directive required removal of Karen’s feeding tube, Queen’s sued Karen’s brother in order to get a court to order that Karen’s feeding tube be removed.

After delays in the court process, Queen’s relented and to allowed Karen to be placed in another facility with her feeding tube intact. As subsequently reported in the Star-Advertiser, Karen’s condition improved to the point where she could once again interact meaningfully with her family members and caregivers.

In the meantime, Karen and her family experienced a drama that no one would want to repeat. So what are some steps that you can take to spare yourself and your family from being the characters in a similar story?

Get an advance health-care directive, and make sure your loved ones have them too.

Make sure your advance directive and power of attorney work together to express your wishes clearly.

Give your health-care providers permission to give your medical information to your trusted decision makers. Otherwise, privacy laws can restrict your doctor from talking with your health-care agent.

Have a way to get access to your advance directive. You never know when or where an emergency might occur.

Talk with your family about your wishes BEFORE a crisis arises. Make sure everybody is on the same page, or at least clearly understands your wishes.

Knowledge is power. Learn all you can about advance health-care directives, and put that knowledge into practice. You will make things much easier on yourself and your family when you do.

Scott Makuakane, Attorney at Law
Specializing in estate planning and trust law.

Scott’s TV’s show on KWHE, Oceanic channel 11: Malama Kupuna airs Sundays at 8:30pm

www.est8planning.com
O‘ahu: 808-587-8227, Maui: 808-891-8881
Email: maku@est8planning.com
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has featured several stories about Karen Okada, a 95-year-old woman who signed a “Death with Dignity Declaration” and a “Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Instructions” back in 1998. Both documents purport to control “in all circumstances.” In mid-2012, shortly after Karen was admitted to The Queen’s Medical Center for treatment…
Important Changes to Medicare July 1, 2013
We’ve received several calls from individuals who have received letters from the Department of Health & Human Services in Baltimore Maryland titled An Important Message for People with Original Medicare. So questions were asked:

Is this letter legitimate?

Yes it is. Individuals with Original Medicare may receive two letters depending on the county where they live in Hawaii. City and County of Honolulu residents could receive two letters; one letter about mail order diabetic supplies and the second letter regarding a change in how you receive your medical equipment and supplies beginning on July 1, 2013.

What is Original Medicare?

Original Medicare is the traditional fee-for-service program offered directly through the federal government. Individuals are not in a Medicare contracted health plan (also known as Part C or Medicare Advantage). Medicare is billed directly and the individual will receive a Medicare Summary Notice.

What is this important change?

On Oahu, Medicare is scheduled to expand the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program beginning July 1, 2013. If you live on Oahu and have Original Medicare (you may still have a retirement plan, but it will not be a Medicare Advantage Plan), and use equipment or supplies under the DMEPOS plan you will generally need to get the equipment or supplies from a Medicare-contract supplier if you want Medicare to pay for them.

Example: On July 2, 2013 John has just returned home from his doctor’s office where he received a prescription for a standard wheelchair because he is unable to walk due to recent health issues. In the prior “plan” year, John’s neighbor Scott needed and received a wheelchair from a medical supply company nearby. John takes his prescription down to the same company, but is informed that they are NOT a Medicare contractor and if he purchases the wheelchair from this company, Medicare may not help pay for it (they should have you sign an “advanced beneficiary notice”).

What should John do? He can go to www.medicare.gov and go to “Find suppliers of medical equipment and supplies”. He can enter his zip code and choose the category “standard wheelchairs.” The website will show the companies contracted with Medicare and then work with one of those companies to get the wheelchair that John needs.

This program may also affect you if you are traveling in another city and need to purchase DMEPOS items.

For the entire nation and US territories, Medicare will also implement a National Mail-Order Program for diabetic testing supplies. If you want Medicare to help pay for these supplies you will have to use the contracted suppliers. This will NOT affect you if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan or if you buy your supplies at a local pharmacy. This program also begins on July 1, 2013.

Why is Medicare doing this?

It helps you and Medicare save money. It ensures that you have access to quality medical equipment, supplies and services from suppliers you can trust and it helps limit fraud and abuse in the Medicare Program.

Your homework:

Find out if you currently are covered under Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage Plans have a CMS contract number on them, usually found at the bottom of the card. It will usually look like this CMS H###-###.

If you use certain supplies, find out who the Medicare contractors will be in your area.

If you are not sure or need assistance you can always call the Hawaii SHIP/Sage PLUS Program at 1-888-875-9229 or email us at help@hawaiiship.org You can also find more information about the competitive bidding programs on our website www.hawaiiship.org.
We’ve received several calls from individuals who have received letters from the Department of Health & Human Services in Baltimore Maryland titled An Important Message for People with Original Medicare. So questions were asked: Is this letter legitimate? Yes it is. Individuals with Original Medicare may receive two letters depending on the county where they…
Enjoy the Summer of Your Life

Seniors of all ages and their families will find that Oahu offers an array of events from July 8 to August 16th, ranging from a dance festival to “sake tasting.” Mark your calendars today for one or all of these exciting events.

Altamira Dance Company

From July 8th to 21st, some of the world’s most acclaimed performers, teachers and critics from Hawai‘i and the Asia Pacific Region will converge in Honolulu for the second biennial Asia Pacific Dance Festival. One of Hawai‘i’s featured artists will be Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehuna with kumu hula Robert Cazimero. Other artists are from New Zealand’s Atamira Dance Company, Taiwan’s Taipei National University of the Arts, and Korea’s Samulgwangdae. The East-West Center Arts Program and the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s Outreach College are co-producing these events. For information, call 808-958-8246 or visit www.outreach.hawaii.edu/community/asiapacific/.

“Living the Art of Hula”

July 11, Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Kennedy Theatre

Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua

This stunning performance will bring together three kumu hula who have been leaders in the hula community for the past three decades. An intimate conversation with kumu hula Robert Cazimero, Vicky Holt Takamine and Michael Pili Pang will open the concert with their personal journeys in hula, the traditions and the process they go through to create new choreography.
Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehuna (Cazimero), Halau Hula Ka No‘eau (Pang), and Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima (Takamine) will have performances showcasing the creative choreography of each of the featured kumu hula.

Samulgwangdae

Samulgwangdae

July 14, Sunday, 2 p.m., Kennedy Theatre

This Sunday afternoon performance will be by the globally renowned samulnori group Samulgwangdae from Korea. The four core percussionists are masters of the changgo (hourglass-shaped drum), kkwaenggwari (small gong), buk (barrell drum) and ching (large gong). The musicians and dancers will create a captivating blend of Korea’s traditional farmers’ band music, acrobatic military exercises and shamanistic ceremonies with its own modern compositions and theatricality.

Taipei National Unversity of the Arts

The Asia Pacific Dance Festival Welcome Ceremony

July 19, Friday, 6 p.m.
East-West Center Friendship Circle

FREE to the public. It will feature the artists from the Atamira Dance Company, Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA), and Halau Na Kamalei
O Lililehuna. The TNUA is equated with excellence in Taiwan and around the world. Their alumni have gained respect and international acclaim as professional choreographers dancers, teachers and researchers.

“Journeys” Performances

Kennedy Theatre
July 20, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
July 21, Sunday, 2 p.m.

A different performance each day, one of which will be by the Atamira Dance Company who is the leading creator and presenter of Maori contemporary dance theater of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Festival Public Forum

July 21, Sunday, 4:45 p.m., East-West Center (Jefferson Hall Imin Conference Center)

Another FREE event. The Sunday’s “Journeys” performance will be followed by a discussion with the visiting artists and special guest dance critics Deborah Jowitt and Steve Villaruz. It will be moderated by UH Manoa Assistant Professer Tammy Baker.

Continuing with the “music theme,” young and old ukulele
performers from around the world will come together for Hawai‘i’s largest ukulele concert in Kapiolani park. This event is FREE to the public.

Tony Group Autoplex presents the 43rd Annual Ukulele Festival

Roy Sakuma

July 21, Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Kapiolani Pk.

The first Ukulele Festival started in 1971 by ukulele master Roy Sakuma. Some of this year’s international lineup of performers will come from Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and Thailand, plus the Mainland, as well as many from Hawai‘i’s own, including Ohta-San and 11-year old Aidan James of YouTube Sensation. The Roy Sakuma Ukulele Band of some 800 keiki, teens and adults will also perform popular tunes. For the 42nd straight year in a row, Hawai‘i’s Ambassador of Aloha, Danny Keleikini, will serve as the emcee.

Free parking and shuttle service from Kapiolani Community College and back will be available from 8:30am–5:30pm. Ukulele displays and giveaways, food booths, inflatable bouncers for keiki, and Ukulele Festival souvenir t-shirts add to the lively, festive atmosphere. For more information, email info@ukulelefestivalhawaii.org or visit www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org.

“The Joy of Sake”

August 16th, Friday, 6:30 p.m.– 9 p.m.
Hawai‘i Convention Center

This event was founded in Honolulu in 2001 as a way to give sake enthusiasts an opportunity to experience and appreciate premium sakes from breweries all over Japan. The event will feature “competition sakes” from the U.S. National Sake Appraisal — each recently bottled and cold-stored to ensure maximum flavor.

The Appraisal is a blind tasting conducted by a team of ten judges from Japan and the U.S. All 300+ entries will be available for tasting. Tickets are available at www.joyofsake.com and are $85 per person ($95 at the door).

Seniors of all ages and their families will find that Oahu offers an array of events from July 8 to August 16th, ranging from a dance festival to “sake tasting.” Mark your calendars today for one or all of these exciting events. From July 8th to 21st, some of the world’s most acclaimed performers, teachers…
Heart Failure
Approximately 5.8 million people in the United States have heart failure. Heart failure is a very common condition in seniors and is also known as congestive health failure. This is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. In some cases, the heart can’t fill with enough blood (diastolic heart failure). In other cases, the heart can’t pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force (systolic heart failure). Some people have both problems. These are heart failure awareness:

How is heart failure diagnosed?

A physician usually diagnoses heart failure based on medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Most commonly ordered test is an echocardiography which uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. The test shows the size and shape of the heart and how well the heart chambers and valves work.

How is heart failure treated?

Lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in controlling symptoms: limit fluid intake, low salt diet, weight loss (if obese), and smoking cessation. Water pills reduce the fluid build up and blood pressure pills reduce the heart’s workload. For severe heart failure cardiologist recommend an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and/or pacemaker to prevent sudden cardiac death. Left ventricle assist device which pumps blood from the heart to the rest of the body has greatly improved quality of life in end-stage heart failure. Heart transplant is a last resort. There are newer experimental treatments on the horizon.

Signs and Symptoms:

Shortness of breath

Fatigue

Swelling in the ankles & feet

Weight gain (major sign and symptom)

Common Causes:

Coronary artery disease

Hypertension

Cardiomyopathy

Diabetes

Heart valve disease

Arrythmias

Congenital heart defects
Approximately 5.8 million people in the United States have heart failure. Heart failure is a very common condition in seniors and is also known as congestive health failure. This is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. In some cases, the heart can’t fill with enough blood…
Caregivers Role

Little is known of caregivers within our community who provide care to aged and disabled individuals under the Community Care Foster Family Home Program. In fact, at times there is a certain undeserved stigma attached to the profession. So what is the role of Adult Foster caregivers? And why should we trust them with our loved ones?

Adult Foster Homes are licensed and governed under the Department of Human Services. Each home has a primary caregiver who is at minimum a Certified Nurse Aide. According to the State’s licensing entity, each home must fulfill 140 criteria in areas such as medication and nutrition, Clients Rights, Insurance Requirements and more. In addition, the home is physically inspected and each person residing (18+) is required to submit background checks and fingerprinting.

Caregivers provide 24-7 medical care and supervision to each resident as well as meals, assistance with activities of daily living and transportation to and from medical appointments. Adult Foster Homes must operate alongside a licensed case management agency that provides care coordination and oversight of the resident by a licensed RN or social worker. Caregivers are provided with a plan of care designed to meet the specific needs of each resident and are delegated tasks such as medication administration.

For more information regarding licensing requirements, visit www.comties.com/hawaii.

Nightingale Case Management, Inc. has been a part of the CCFFH Program for over 12 years. For a free assessment and consultation, please contact: (808) 484-2205, nightingalecmi@hotmail.com, or visit www.nightingalecmi.com

Little is known of caregivers within our community who provide care to aged and disabled individuals under the Community Care Foster Family Home Program. In fact, at times there is a certain undeserved stigma attached to the profession. So what is the role of Adult Foster caregivers? And why should we trust them with our…
What’s So Good About Growing Older?

Every week I talk to people who are newly eligible for Medicare insurance or are already enrolled in a plan. While some are happy to be at the age to get those senior discounts at retail shops and restaurants, some, not so much. They would rather trade those discounts for the yonder days of platform shoes and “discothèques.” Did you recognize that word? Might be time for you to learn more about Medicare.

So for those who need a little coaxing to embrace the idea that life can be good at any age, let’s look at some words of wisdom cloned from, where else, the Internet.

As we age let’s, become more peaceful. And whose business is it anyway, if we choose to read, watch TV, or play on the computer, until 3?

We can walk the beach, in a swim suit stretched over our beautiful bulging bodies, and dive into the waves, despite “stink eye” from the young, with their lean, mean, six-pack abs. They, too, will grow old.

As we grow older, let’s care less about what other people think. We have earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer the question, what’s so good about growing older? We can choose to love the person we have become. We have an excuse to forget the things we choose to no longer remember.

We can have a “senior moment”, eat, drink and be merry and finally understand Medicare!

Martha Khlopin hosts the popular weekly radio program “Medicare Moment with Martha — The World of Medicare” sponsored by AlohaCare. It airs on KHNR-690AM on Saturdays from 11–11:30 a.m. and on KGU-99.5FM on Sundays from 10–10:30 a.m.For info, call (808) 973-0754, mkhlopin@alohacare.org.

Every week I talk to people who are newly eligible for Medicare insurance or are already enrolled in a plan. While some are happy to be at the age to get those senior discounts at retail shops and restaurants, some, not so much. They would rather trade those discounts for the yonder days of platform…
My Take on Things: Shuzi Health Jewelry

It was September 8, 2011 that I had a stroke … some say it was “mild” and some say it was a “nerve stroke” while I say, “It happened, now move on!” Every day since then, I test myself on doing things with my right side. Within two weeks I got rid of the walker but was very careful getting around. Driving and bouncing a tennis ball took two months. Walking down a flight of stairs without using the handrail or wall took nine months — that’s when I bought a Shuzi bracelet and walked down 12 steps with no problem (at the bottom of the stairs, I turned around to look up in amazement). I did more “self-tests” like balancing on my right leg for 40 seconds instead of the 3 seconds before Shuzi and walking on stepping stones on the side of our house with ease. There are so many products out there that claim a lot of things, but this one I believe made a HUGE difference to my “balance” in life.

This is what I know: Shuzi (pronounced Shoo-zee) has been an international company since 2004. The jewelry utilizes a proprietary “Nano Vibrational Technology” Chip from the United States which is programmed to resonate with your cells’ natural frequencies. The chip sends out a pulse that balances the body’s bio-field and blood cells become much rounder and stronger promoting better blood flow, which means more oxygen through the body.

Studies with QEEG (brain mapping) showed on average 25% improvement in cognitive efficiency and 20% improvement in emotional efficiency. The full study is on shuziusa.com.

So, don’t just take my word for it. As in anything else, try it yourself and do your own testing. I think you’ll be pleased.

For more information, Shuzi Hawai‘i can be reached at 808-386-0929, www.shuziliving.com.

It was September 8, 2011 that I had a stroke … some say it was “mild” and some say it was a “nerve stroke” while I say, “It happened, now move on!” Every day since then, I test myself on doing things with my right side. Within two weeks I got rid of the walker but was…
Summer Green Smoothie

Summer brings in the time of year when melons are in season. Watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe are rich in vitimins, minerals and antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lycopene, potassium, magnesium vitamin A and C. Adding them to a green smoothie makes for a tasty drink and a great way to get a lot of healthy nutrients into your body at one time.

Blend well to milkshake consistency. Enjoy! See link for demo: www.youtu.be/16U9a1Vhoak.

Ingredients

1 apple or pear
1 banana
3 pineapple spears
Handful of blueberries
1 cup watermelon
1 cup Kale
1 cup Spinach
Handful of mint leaves

Summer brings in the time of year when melons are in season. Watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe are rich in vitimins, minerals and antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lycopene, potassium, magnesium vitamin A and C. Adding them to a green smoothie makes for a tasty drink and a great way to get a lot of healthy nutrients…
Special Needs Planning

Statistics reveal that about 16% of children in the United States have some sort of disability. The concerns of parents of these children are the same for most any parent and that is to make sure that their children are safe, happy, and live a meaningful life.

Some of these children may not be able to earn a living on their own. Both the federal and state governments understand this and provide benefits for these children, so that they receive food and shelter and medical care. Many of these benefits are “means tested”, meaning that the child cannot have much in terms of assets and cannot make much in terms of income, and if the child inherits assets from the parents, these benefits will discontinue, and the child must use up all of the inheritance before having to reapply for benefits.

This leaves parents to think that they must disinherit their children so that they can continue to receive benefits or entrust another family member to manage money for the benefit of the child.

The better alternative is the Supplemental Needs Trust. Properly written and administered, this trust allows parents to leave the child their inheritance and allows the child to continue to receive the much needed governmental benefits. This Supplemental Needs Trust is written instructing the trustee to pay assets from the trust for the benefit of the child only over and above what the child receives from the government.

This partnership between the federal and state governments and the parents allow the child to live the most meaningful, happy, and independent life possible.

Stephen B. Yim, Attorney at Law | 2054 S. Beretania St., Hon. | (808) 524-0251 | stephenyimestateplanning.com

Statistics reveal that about 16% of children in the United States have some sort of disability. The concerns of parents of these children are the same for most any parent and that is to make sure that their children are safe, happy, and live a meaningful life. Some of these children may not be able…
Strong Families Survive

In June we celebrate National Family Month, which is a great time to reflect on your family and how to make it stronger. As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reminds us, strong families share many valuable qualities: trust, commitment, communication, growth, affection, fun, and love.

Strong families are more likely to grow through a crisis, allowing the difficult experience to bring them even closer together.

In the unfortunate event of a family member’s death, we want you to know that Social Security is here to help. In addition to the emotional difficulty family members experience, there is often a financial burden as well, especially if the family’s main wage earner dies. In such cases, Social Security survivors benefits will help.

Did you know that nearly every child in America could get Social Security survivors benefits if a working parent dies? And Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program. Although many people think Social Security is just a retirement program, you should know that Social Security also provides survivors insurance benefits for workers and their families. If you’re like most people, the value of the survivors insurance you have under Social Security is probably more than the value of any individual life insurance you may own. And you don’t even need to sign up for a separate policy; by working and paying Social Security tax, you are most likely already insured without even knowing it.

Family members who may be able to receive survivors benefits based on your work record include a widow or widower, unmarried children up to age 19 and still in high school, and under certain circumstances, stepchildren, grandchildren, step grandchildren, adopted children, and dependent parents.

If you’d like to learn more about survivors benefits, and how to apply, you should read our publication, Survivors Benefits, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

You can find additional useful information, such as our survivors planner and information about how to apply for survivors benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/survivors.htm.

www.socialsecurity.gov
1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)

In June we celebrate National Family Month, which is a great time to reflect on your family and how to make it stronger. As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reminds us, strong families share many valuable qualities: trust, commitment, communication, growth, affection, fun, and love. Strong families are more likely to grow…