Category: Date

Home Care for Stroke Survivors
Caring for stroke survivors at home can be overwhelming for anyone. Getting outside help from home care agencies can make a difference in your ability to balance your life with your loved one’s needs.

Ask the following questions to find a trustworthy company with qualified, reliable caregivers who are also compassionate and dedicated.

Does the provider send a Registered Nurse (RN) to meet the family and develop a plan of care for the caregivers to follow?

As part of the admission process, an RN Clinical Manager should meet you and your family at the home, assess the family dynamics, perform a head-to-toe physical assessment, provide a home safety inspection and develop a customized care plan for the caregivers to follow. An RN should be available to you 24/7 to provide support.

Are caregivers supervised and evaluated by a Registered Nurse?

On a regular basis an RN should:

Perform assessments of the patient and make any changes to the care plan

Ensure that the family is satisfied with the caregiver and the services the agency is providing

Assure the family that they are there as a resource for all parties

HiHealthCare, 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
808-534-7815 | info@hihealthcarehawaii.com
hihealthcarehawaii.com
Caring for stroke survivors at home can be overwhelming for anyone. Getting outside help from home care agencies can make a difference in your ability to balance your life with your loved one’s needs. Ask the following questions to find a trustworthy company with qualified, reliable caregivers who are also compassionate and dedicated. Does the…
Represent: Neighbor Island Seniors

I was attending a legislative hearing some years ago dealing with senior issues. The hearing went on for some time as the committee members talked about significant health care problems affecting seniors in Honolulu. At some point, a respected senior advocate from Maui raised his hand and said, “Excuse me, this NOT the state of O‘ahu. It’s the state of Hawai‘i.”

Everyone laughed because what he said was exactly true. Half of the state’s population lives on the Neighbor Islands. And, Maui alone has nearly 32,000 seniors — a number that is expected to increase to approximately 54,000 by 2020.

On the Neighbor Islands, hospitals and senior care facilities are often few and far between. Family members may be miles — or islands — apart. There are higher costs for gas, groceries — virtually everything seniors count on for quality of life. We hope that policymakers and institutions keep that in mind when making decisions that could impact seniors across the state.

In this issue, Generations Magazine visits Maui as a starting point for this conversation about our Neighbor Island seniors and their families, but I feel certain other Neighbor Islands will soon be given more consideration, not just by the magazine but by those people helping seniors as they age.

The fact is, I’m thinking about some waterfront property on Moloka‘i. I might be able to afford it if I live in one of those little storage sheds from Sears. I’ll have to talk to Mrs. Matthews first.

The Elderhood Project airs on KHON2 Friday Morning news at 5:45a.m. and Thursday at 5p.m.

I was attending a legislative hearing some years ago dealing with senior issues. The hearing went on for some time as the committee members talked about significant health care problems affecting seniors in Honolulu. At some point, a respected senior advocate from Maui raised his hand and said, “Excuse me, this NOT the state of…
Mind & Body: Sober Seniors
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted in 2012, nearly 41 percent of adults 65 years of age or older drink alcohol. Most of them don’t have a drinking problem, but some of them drink too much. Men are more likely than women to have problems with alcohol.

What are the effects of alcohol on aging?

Seniors are more sensitive to alcohol because they metabolize alcohol more slowly than younger people. As a result, alcohol stays in their bodies longer. Also, the amount of water in the body goes down with age, causing a higher percentage of alcohol in their blood than younger people after drinking the same amount of alcohol.

Aging lowers the body’s tolerance for alcohol. This means that older adults can experience the effects of alcohol, such as slurred speech and lack of coordination, more easily than when they were younger. A senior can develop problems with alcohol even though his or her drinking habits have not changed.

What are the health consequences?

Heavy drinking can damage the liver, the heart and the brain. It can increase the risk of developing certain cancers as well as damage muscles and bone. Drinking too much alcohol can worsen some health conditions such as diabetes, gout, hypertension, heart failure, liver problems and memory problems. Other health issues include mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Does alcohol interact with medications?

Many medications interact with alcohol, for example taking aspirin or other blood thinners and drinking alcohol may increase the risk of stomach bleed. Tylenol and alcohol can increase risk of liver damage. Mixing alcohol with some medicines can cause sleepiness, confusion, lack of coordination, nausea, vomiting or headaches.

How much is one alcoholic drink?

one 12-ounce can or bottle of regular beer, ale or wine cooler

one 8- or 9-ounce can or bottle of malt liquor

one 5-ounce glass of wine

one 1.5-ounce shot glass of hard liquor such as whiskey, gin, vodka or rum

Are there any benefits to drinking alcohol?

Studies have shown that light to moderate drinkers — men who have one or two drinks a day and women who have one-half or one drink a day — are less likely to develop or die of heart disease than people who drink more or not at all. Moderate amounts of alcohol raises the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) also known as good cholesterol, which is associated with greater protection against heart disease. The risks of drinking must be considered along with the potential benefits. For example, as little as one drink a day can slightly raise the risk of breast cancer in some women, especially those who are past menopause or who have a family history of breast cancer.

How much alcohol is safe to drink?

Healthy seniors should not drink more than three drinks a day or a total of seven drinks a week. However, people can still have problems within these limits. Depending on their health and how alcohol affects them, seniors may need to drink less than these limits or not at all.

Do you need to stop drinking for better health?

For help and resources, please visit www.hawaiiislandrecovery.com/resources.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted in 2012, nearly 41 percent of adults 65 years of age or older drink alcohol. Most of them don’t have a drinking problem, but some of them drink too much. Men are more likely than women to have problems with alcohol. What are the…
Conversations About Wishes
Auntie K was having trouble breathing at home and her son called 911. She is now in the Intensive Care Unit. The doctor asks the family, “What would your mother want us to do if she could speak for herself right now? She’s having more trouble breathing. Do you want us to “‘do everything?’”

Unfortunately, this is a very common scenario at hospitals in Hawai‘i. Sometimes, even when people have thought about these things and discussed them with their doctor, they haven’t sat down and talked with their family. And, yet, it is the family that the doctors and nurses turn to for answers.

No one says that conversations about these things are easy. They are not easy. So how do you get started? Who should be involved? In Hawai‘i, one place to turn is Kokua Mau, Hawai‘i Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Kokua Mau knows these conversations are crucial and it invites you to use its free resources to help explore options and begin the conversation.

Kokua Mau is a group of volunteers from many organizations and professions who have joined together “to weave a lei of caregiving and support so that the people of Hawai‘i facing serious illness can live in the place of their choice, with relief of pain and suffering and according to their values, beliefs and traditions.” (Kokua Mau Mission Statement)

Kokua Mau has information for individuals, families and health professionals. Its website (www.kokuamau.org), has direct links to community resources, such as downloadable Advance Directive forms and printable information that covers topics that we often find difficult to talk about. For instance:

If someone is not able to eat, what are the pros and cons of tube feeding? (You can view or download a guide for decision making about tube feeding on Kokua Mau’s website.)

What is POLST? (Physicians Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, a portable doctor’s order that makes your wishes known.)

What are the pros and cons of CPR for someone who is elderly and frail? (Did you know that among this group CPR is less than 5 percent effective?)

Along with written resources, Kokua Mau has a Speakers Bureau that can meet with your group to start the conversations that we all need to have.

As our state’s nonprofit hospice and palliative care organization, Kokua Mau recently received national recognition with the 2013 Trailblazer Award from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

So, what happened with Auntie K? Fortunately her son and other family members began to remember that when her brother had been hospitalized, Auntie K had spoken of what she would want if that happened to her. Because of this, they were able to come together as a family and follow her wishes. The members of Kokua Mau hope that with the use of its free resources, none of you will ever end up at the bedside of your loved one wondering what she or he would have wanted.

Kokua Mau, Hawai‘i Hospice & Palliative Care Organization
808-585-9977 | info@kokuamau.org
www.kokuamau.org
Auntie K was having trouble breathing at home and her son called 911. She is now in the Intensive Care Unit. The doctor asks the family, “What would your mother want us to do if she could speak for herself right now? She’s having more trouble breathing. Do you want us to “‘do everything?’” Unfortunately,…
Downsize & Declutter the Easy Way
Most of us who have lived in the same home for decades have collected a good amount of personal treasures. And before you know it, you’re shocked by all the things you own. Some people may call these things clutter or trash, but to the owner these things could be a lifetime of memories. The difficulty comes when we have to think about downsizing or decluttering because it’s a safety concern (trip hazard), or we need more open space for a walker or wheelchair or move to a smaller home. Many say that they have “so much stuff” that it’s “just overwhelming.” Sometimes people even become trapped by their own personal belongings and can’t seem to break the “cycle.”

Over the past three years, Senior Move Managers has helped more than 300 clients downsize and declutter their homes.

The most frequently asked questions include:

Where do I start?

How do I get rid of all my things?

I really hate to throw everything away, where should all my things go?

Are there places that I can donate or sell my valuable items?

I may need it later, so should I store it or do something else with it?

If you’re like most people, starting the process can be the most challenging step. However, once the ball starts rolling, people can see the progress and experience what success actually feels like. Sorting through belongings (and emotions) becomes easier, and the feeling of accomplishment changes attitudes toward the clutter. This is a sign that the homeowner is on his/her way to some significant changes in life.

Here are some decluttering tips:

Schedule a time to start and set mini goals so that you can see progress over time.

S.O.R.T. your things into four categories: Sell, Offer, Retain and Toss. Everything in your home can fit into one of these four “piles.”

Begin with high-traffic areas to increase safety, since safety is the first concern.

Limit the number of new items coming into your residence. Even if an item is on sale, hold off on buying it and bringing it into your home. It will come on sale again when you really need it.

When you SORT through your items, ask yourself the following questions:

Do I really need it?

When was the last time I used it?

When will I use it again?

How often do I use it?

These questions will help you think about each item and figure out which SORT pile it belongs in. They will also help you detach from your belongings.

There are many small steps that lead to success. The most important step is to ask for help. Going through belongs is a big job — emotionally and physically. Items can be large, heavy and dangerous. When you decide to downsize or declutter, make sure you have some helping hands.

For information, call Dan Ihara, Senior Move Managers
808-256-7873 | www.smmhawaii.com

Before

After
Most of us who have lived in the same home for decades have collected a good amount of personal treasures. And before you know it, you’re shocked by all the things you own. Some people may call these things clutter or trash, but to the owner these things could be a lifetime of memories. The…
Message from The Editor – December / January 2014

The end of this year was highlighted with an island hop to Maui, where Generations Magazine discovered why some of the happiest seniors in Hawai‘i call the Valley Isle home. The cover story, Maui Mindset, explores how Maui County is committed to its seniors and their families … and how seniors are eager to give back.

Part of the “Maui Mindset” is the county’s philosophy of taking care of each other, says Ruth Griffith, Kaunoa Senior Services administrator. In the story she noted, “Maui County is made up small communities and residents are very civic minded. We look out for one another. Even our seniors who receive support services want to give back to the community in any way they can. Maui seniors play a vital role in maintaining our thriving communities.”

However, just as with many other areas, Maui is facing a growing senior population. By 2020, the county expects the number of people turning 60 to double. In response, Maui is working with its Baby Boomers to redefine what it will mean to be a healthy and engaged senior over the next two decades.

Thank you to our Generations Magazine staff for venturing to Maui for a whirlwind tour of Maui — including a 3 a.m. wake up call to catch sunrise at Haleakala.

Generations Magazine is now in its fourth year and we are so excited to move further into our communities and bring you more engaging stories, trusted resources and valuable programs and services.

For 2014, we look forward to expanding our distribution points and posting more information on our website (www.Generations808.com). We’re also planning on more workshops, presentations and our 8th annual KHON2 Elderhood Project Aging in Place Workshop on Saturday August 23 at the Ala Moana Hotel. And going forward, we’re offering free digital copies of each magazine … just email a request at Percy@Generations808.com.

Starting with this issue, we welcomed our new full-time associate editor Aimee Harris. She will be handling all of the magazine’s editorial content, so if you have stories or programs that would be of interest to our seniors, feel free to contact her at Aimee@Generations808.com.

Live well,

Percy Ihara, Editor/Publisher

P.S. A special mahalo to Dana Acosta of Kaunoa Senior Services for coordinating a full day of interviews and events for Generations Magazine.

Generations enjoys breakfast at Kula Lodge, Maui, aftera stunning Haleakala¯ sunrise (left to right): Aimee, Percy, Peterson and Wilson.

Aimee and Percy, bundled up for Haleakala sunrise

The end of this year was highlighted with an island hop to Maui, where Generations Magazine discovered why some of the happiest seniors in Hawai‘i call the Valley Isle home. The cover story, Maui Mindset, explores how Maui County is committed to its seniors and their families … and how seniors are eager to give…
Creating Ageless Kitchens

As we grow older, the need to renovate our home to meet evolving needs grows … but so can the headache from all of the labor involved.

Your home should represent who you are and your lifestyle. It should be a space that has great energy and is a source of pride. And, sometimes simple, strategic changes can make your house a home for life. Enhancing your home, especially the most frequently used room — the kitchen — doesn’t have to involve major work to make a major difference.

As we age, everything around us seems to get taller, heavier and out of reach. Some seniors seem to “shrink” and probably have the most problems in the kitchen where they aren’t able to reach high shelves. Sore joints can prevent them from stooping down and pulling things out from low drawers. A quick and effective fix to these types of physical limitations could include installing cabinet systems that allow kupuna to pull down and push up cabinets. Even small changes such as installing single-level flooring and layered lighting can make a world of difference. And with convenience and safety in mind, the placement of appliances should always be reviewed. For example, simply lowering a microwave oven to a reachable surface can prevent spills and burns.

Besides being the place to prepare meals, the kitchen is often the place where friends and family congregate. As such, it can benefit the most from a design update from which people of all ages can benefit and appreciate.

Ventus Design
www.ventusdesignhonolulu.com
808-396-5477 | rlewis@ventusdesignhnl.com

As we grow older, the need to renovate our home to meet evolving needs grows … but so can the headache from all of the labor involved. Your home should represent who you are and your lifestyle. It should be a space that has great energy and is a source of pride. And, sometimes simple,…
December – January 2014

WANT THIS ISSUE?

Download your own personal copy of this issue in PDF format. Click the button below:

DOWNLOAD IT NOW

Why the Valley Isle Has Some of the Happiest Seniors
All You Need is Love . . .

What can brighten the day of a hospice patient with no one to visit them or a person going through chemotherapy? With a cold nose and furry smile, the Hawaiian Humane Society’s Joy Ambassadors help to spread cheer as part of the pet visitation program. Volunteers and their pets visit about 50 hospitals, care homes and rehabilitation centers to greet the residents.

One of those special pets is Athena, who found a new family with long-time volunteer Ron. Now they are an active part of the Society’s Joy Ambassador team. Programs such as pet visitation help draw pet owners and their animals closer, while helping others enjoy the human-animal bond.

For many people, the most endearing friends are their animal companions. Pets help with anxiety, lower blood pressure and improve a person’s mood. The touch of an animal can bring great comfort. In the last year, Joy Ambassadors teams touched the lives of more than 15,000 people.

For information in becoming a pet visitation volunteer, call Jamie Langlois at 356-2222 or visit HawaiianHumane.org.

What can brighten the day of a hospice patient with no one to visit them or a person going through chemotherapy? With a cold nose and furry smile, the Hawaiian Humane Society’s Joy Ambassadors help to spread cheer as part of the pet visitation program. Volunteers and their pets visit about 50 hospitals, care homes…
For Once in My Life!

If you are a Tony Bennett fan, there are few things better in middle age than listening to a medley of his hits, which has to include “I Left My Heart in San Francisco!”

He recently performed at the Neal Blaisdell concert hall and his performance was spectacular. At the young age of 87, he belted out the first song he recorded in 1932, and next Charlie Chaplin’s, “Smile.” He followed with a medley of his favorite hits that caused the crowd to clap and cheer and ended with a 10-minute standing ovation.

Bennett performed for about 90 minutes. A duet with his daughter was a real crowd pleaser. He danced and twirled, didn’t miss a note, word or beat. He talked a bit about an upcoming new album with Lady Gaga and told the crowd to please go out and buy it because he needs the money. He laughed and blew kisses to crowd and told his adoring fans how much he loved them.

As he sang a favorite, “For Once In My Life,” I changed the lyrics to match my Medicare-centric mindset.

This is the tune I was hearing;

For once in my life, I have Medicare Advantage,

Something I’ve needed so long,

For once unafraid, I can go where life leads me

And I know my Medicare plan will keep me strong.

For once I can say this is my Medicare, you can’t take it.

As long as I keep up my Part B payments, I can make it.

For once in my life,

I have everything in the world that I need.

___________________________

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.

If you are a Tony Bennett fan, there are few things better in middle age than listening to a medley of his hits, which has to include “I Left My Heart in San Francisco!” He recently performed at the Neal Blaisdell concert hall and his performance was spectacular. At the young age of 87, he…
You’re the Caregiver, but Who Will Take Care of You?

The pool of family and friends to care for Hawai‘i baby boomers as they age into their 80s will be less than half as deep as it is today, according to a new report from AARP. The report predicts the ratio of potential family caregivers to elders needing care will plummet from today’s six caregivers for each person over the age of 80 to fewer than three caregivers per elderly person in 2030.

The Aging of the Baby Boom and the Growing Care Gap from the AARP Public Policy Institute also anticipates that the dearth of family caregivers projected for 2030 to 2050 will intensify the emotional, physical and financial costs borne by future caregiving family members and friends.

“About half of older Hawai‘i residents believe they will be able to rely on their families to meet their needs when they need long-term care,” says AARP Hawaii State President Gerry Silva. “But this confidence is likely to erode when it collides with the dramatically shrinking availability of family caregivers in the future.”

As the number of Hawai‘I residents over the age of 80 increases in the next 20 years, the number of people in the primary caregiving years will remain flat, the report states. Meanwhile, in 2050, there will be nearly three times as many people age 80 and older in Hawai‘i as there are today. As a result, by 2050, the caregiver support ratio which was 6.1 in 2010 when boomers were in their peak caregiving years, is projected to drop to 2.1 percent when the boomers will have reached their 80s. According to the report, in just 13 years, as the baby boomers age into their 80s, the decline in caregiver support will shift from a slow decline to a free fall.

The new caregiver report calculates the availability of caregivers by dividing the number of people in the most common caregiving age range (those ages 45-64) by the number of older people most at risk of needing long-term services and\ supports (those ages 80+). The former group reflects the demographics of today’s average caregivers, the latter is the population likely to have some kind of disability and need help with daily activities.

The complete report, The Aging of the Baby Boom and the Growing Care Gap: A Look at Future Declines in the Availability of Family Caregivers, can be found at www.tinyurl.com/aarp-caregiving.

AARP is a membership organization for people age 50 and older with 148,000 members in Hawai‘i. We champion access to affordable, quality health care for all generations, provide the tools needed to save for retirement, and serve as a reliable information source on issues critical to older Americans.

Contact AARP Hawai’i for more information.
State Office: 808-545-6024
Toll-Free: 866-295-7282
aarp.org/hi
facebook.com/AARPHawaii
twitter.com/AARPHawaii

The pool of family and friends to care for Hawai‘i baby boomers as they age into their 80s will be less than half as deep as it is today, according to a new report from AARP. The report predicts the ratio of potential family caregivers to elders needing care will plummet from today’s six caregivers…
Reverse ParentingReverse Parenting

The role of being a “reverse parent” didn’t occur to me until I dropped off my father on his first day at adult day care. While walking back to my car, I said to myself, I hope the day care doesn’t call me and say they’re sending him home because he soiled his clothing or worse yet; he got into a scuffle with another senior.

I chuckled to myself, Wow, now I’m the parent taking care of my father. The roles have been reversed.

I tell my fellow baby-boomer friends; we’re reverse parents. I get laughter and sometimes I get head shaking. In Hawai‘i and across the nation, there are adult children (like me) who are caring for their parents. A role few of us are prepared to take on. Caregiving blindsides many of us.

My father passed away November 2007, and then the reverse parent role started again two years later with my mother. I tell friends, “I have an 86-year-old daughter.” And just like anyone else — regardless of age — she wants to be heard … and, gratefully, I have learned to listen. This is one thing I’d like to tell my fellow baby boomers to do — ask … and listen. My mother has told me many stories that are “pearls.” For example, her father, my maternal grandfather, was a fisherman on the aku boat. She explained how he had very strong arms and legs, as it wasn’t an option for a him to tell the boat captain that he needed to take a break while the fish were still biting.

Another pearl involved my paternal grandparents who worked for the first governor of Hawai‘i, Joseph B. Poindexter. My grandfather was the chef and my grandmother (“Baba”) was one of the servers. She wore traditional kimono while serving dinner guests at the Governor’s Mansion. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Poindexter for two full terms, 1934 through 1942. He was among the first to advocate Hawai‘i’s statehood, yet that endeavor was interrupted in December of 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

My mother told me that on the day of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, my grandfather was planning to go out fishing in his small boat that he had moored at Kewalo Basin. For some reason he decided against it, but his friend did go out to sea. In the mayhem that occurred, he was mistaken as being part of the Japanese Navy disguised as a civilian and was killed.

I’m fortunate to own a home care agency and have a brother who puts in just as much time and effort caring for our mother. My brother and I do the night shifts and one of our employees cares for my mother during the day. However, for families that don’t that level of support, there are respite programs, adult day care centers, transportation services and support groups in the community. Each family is unique, and needs different resources. If you want to discuss options available for caring for your parents, feel free to call 545-3700 or visit www.ComfortingHandsHawaii.com.

The role of being a “reverse parent” didn’t occur to me until I dropped off my father on his first day at adult day care. While walking back to my car, I said to myself, I hope the day care doesn’t call me and say they’re sending him home because he soiled his clothing or…