Category: Date

Secret Money for Senior Veterans
Many Veterans believe that they have to have suffered an in-service disability to qualify for monetary benefits from the Veterans Administration. This is a common misconception. Depending on health, income and assets, many senior Veterans (and their dependent or surviving spouses) can qualify for not only basic “Improved Pensions” based on low income, but also supplemental benefits of up to $2,053 per month as of 2013. The supplemental benefits are called “Housebound Benefits” and “Aid & Attendance Benefits.”

In order to qualify for any of these pension benefits, the Veteran (or surviving spouse, based on the Veteran’s military service record), must satisfy the following general criteria:

The Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty.

At least one day out of the 90 days of active duty must have been during war time (there are defined dates for the beginning and end of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict; and the Gulf War, which began on August 2, 1990, is not concluded yet, and its ending date will be set by Presidential Proclamation at the appropriate time).

The Veteran must have received a discharge other than dishonorable.

The claimant and household must have limited income and assets.

The claimant must have a permanent and total disability at the time of application (note that a surviving spouse can qualify for a basic low income pension without being disabled, but the Veteran must be disabled—although the disability does not have to be related to war time or military service).

The disability must have been caused without the willful misconduct of the claimant and must not have been due to the abuse of alcohol or drugs.

As the name implies, Housebound Benefits are payable where the claimant is substantially confined to his or her home because of permanent disability. In order to qualify for Aid & Attendance benefits, the claimant must:

Require the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required for everyday living (such as bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting, transferring from bed to a wheelchair, or dealing with incontinence) OR

Be bedridden, in that he or she must remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment OR

Be a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical capacity OR

Be blind or have very poor vision.

Applying for these supplemental benefits is not a quick or simple process, and if you decide to apply, you may want to enlist the help of a Veterans’ assistance organization or a specially-trained individual. Note that whoever assists with the application cannot charge a fee for that service. However, other services by the individual or organization may be chargeable.

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

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

www.est8planning.com
O‘ahu: 808-587-8227, Maui: 808-891-8881
Email: maku@est8planning.com
Many Veterans believe that they have to have suffered an in-service disability to qualify for monetary benefits from the Veterans Administration. This is a common misconception. Depending on health, income and assets, many senior Veterans (and their dependent or surviving spouses) can qualify for not only basic “Improved Pensions” based on low income, but also…
Share a Tip with Your Favorite Senior

While the Baby Boom era is behind us, its effects live on. The number of people reaching the autumn season of life is higher than ever. In fact, the World Health Organization reports that there are around 600 million people aged 60 and older living in the world today. That number is expected to double by 2025 — a short 12 years from now — and is expected to reach about 2 billion by 2050.

In the United States, 10,000 people reach retirement age every single day.

Younger people often turn to their elders for advice, as older people have the life experience and reflection that younger people lack. But given the fast-paced changes the world now experiences, with new technologies becoming outdated in a matter of years or even months, there may be some helpful insights you can share with your elders.

For example, if you know someone who is nearing retirement age, tell them about www.socialsecurity.gov. They may not be aware of the helpful and easy-to-use tools available to them. It’s no exaggeration to say that even someone who does not use the Internet on a regular basis can easily plan their retirement or even complete their retirement application online in a matter of minutes — much less time than it would take to drive to a local Social Security office.

The best starting place for anyone thinking about retirement is Social Security’s Retirement Estimator. Use it to get an instant, personalized estimate of future retirement benefits in a matter of minutes. Spend a few more minutes plugging in different information, such as different projected future wages and different retirement dates, to help make a wise decision on the best retirement date. The Retirement Estimator is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

Then there’s the online retirement benefit application. In as little as 15 minutes, a person can apply for Social Security benefits and submit their application online. In most cases, once one submits the application, there is nothing more to do but wait for the first payment. It’s really that simple. And, if one decides they’d like to doublecheck some information before submitting the application, that’s fine too. The application can be paused and then restarted at any time during the process. It’s all available at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.

It makes sense to go to our elders for advice and guidance. But in this technology-driven world, we may be able to offer a little advice to the sages as well. A good bet is to tell the older adults in your life about www.socialsecurity.gov.

For other information and locations near you:

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

While the Baby Boom era is behind us, its effects live on. The number of people reaching the autumn season of life is higher than ever. In fact, the World Health Organization reports that there are around 600 million people aged 60 and older living in the world today. That number is expected to double…
Cataract Corrections
What is a cataract?

The eye’s lens is mostly made up of water and protein, but as we age, some of that protein in the lens begins to clump together, resulting in cloudy patches of vision. This is called a cataract.

What does a cataract do to my vision?

As the cataract grows, vision worsens. Cataracts usually develop slowly and are painless, though the symptoms are troubling, and ultimately can lead to blindness if not removed.

When should you worry about cataracts?

Cataracts affect nearly 22 million Americans age 40 and older. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology more than half of all Americans have cataracts by age 80. Adults get cataracts usually due to aging, exposure to sunlight and can also be affected by smoking, improper nutrition, systemic diseases, injury to the eye or certain medications.

Symptoms include:

Blurred, foggy or cloudy vision; a sense of film over your eyes

Blues and greens seem faded

Difficulty reading small print

Double vision

Seeing halos around lights at night

Are there new ways to correct cataracts?

Laser cataract surgery is a simple and relatively painless procedure that is done on an out-patient basis. Cataract removal is the most frequently performed surgery in the U.S. and nine out of 10 patients who have cataract surgery regain between 20/20 and 20/40 vision. New bladeless, computer-controlled laser refractive cataract surgery, LenSx®, offers greater accuracy and precision than previous methods.

Jenkins Eye Care | 808-591-9911
615 Pi‘ikoi St. Suite 205, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96814
www.jenkinseyecare.com | Twitter: @jenkinseyecare
Facebook.com/jenkinseyecare | YouTube: Jenkinseyecare
What is a cataract? The eye’s lens is mostly made up of water and protein, but as we age, some of that protein in the lens begins to clump together, resulting in cloudy patches of vision. This is called a cataract. What does a cataract do to my vision? As the cataract grows, vision worsens.…
Don’t Miss a Beat with Online News

A couple years ago, University of Hawai‘i journalism professor Bev Keever had her students undertake a very basic reporting exercise: request misconduct reports filed with the Legislature by Hawai‘i’s four county police agencies.

It turned out to be anything but simple. But Keever, a former Vietnam War correspondent, finally obtained what turned out to be vague summaries, sorely lacking in detail, and only for the Honolulu Police Department dating back to 2000.

By the time Keever got the records, her class of blossoming reporters was long gone. So she brought the three-inch stack of photocopies to Honolulu Civil Beat, a relatively new arrival on the media scene here.

Keever’s groundwork became a five-part investigative series in Civil Beat. “In the Name of the Law” explored the public policy decisions that have kept police disciplinary records off limits to the public in Hawai‘i since the mid-1990s, when an earlier crop of UH journalism students fought — and won — a Supreme Court victory opening misconduct files. Their victory was short-lived; the police union convinced political allies in the Legislature to exempt police records from disclosure.

I’ll let you read all about the politically charged situation that spanned three governors and many legislative sessions. You can find it at www.civilbeat.com under Special Reports.

But the project that took more than six months to pull together illustrates just who we are. Started by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his business partner, Randy Ching, in May 2010, Civil Beat is the only independent news organization in Hawai‘i dedicated to public affairs journalism. We don’t cover sports, entertainment or lifestyle features unless they involve some aspect of public policy. Taxpayer money is always a big issue for us, as is raising questions of possible wrongdoing or lack or government transparency.

We’ve provided in-depth coverage of controversial issues, from the Honolulu rail project to the debate over genetically engineered crops. Earlier this year, another multi-part special report examined the history of the Ala Wai Canal, its flawed design and environmental problems — and its murky future.

We believe a vibrant news organization is vital to democracy and we can make a difference in the lives of people and public policy through solid, smart, watchdog journalism. In fact, legislators and other elected officials circulate our stories and quote from our coverage.

One of our main goals is to foster civil discussions through our website, a virtual “civic square” where people can gather to understand, debate and discover the issues. We welcome community voices and invite you join us online.

And we’ve won a slew of journalism awards for our work, including being named the Best News Site in Hawai’i for three years in a row by the Society of Professional Journalists.

In September, we teamed up with The Huffington Post to launch HuffPost Hawaii, which brings news to Hawai’i while sharing our local issues with a global community. Visit us at www.huffingtonpost.com/Hawaii or email hawaiiblogs@huffingtonpost.com.

A couple years ago, University of Hawai‘i journalism professor Bev Keever had her students undertake a very basic reporting exercise: request misconduct reports filed with the Legislature by Hawai‘i’s four county police agencies. It turned out to be anything but simple. But Keever, a former Vietnam War correspondent, finally obtained what turned out to be…
Fall Prevention

There I was, the Hawai’i State Fall Prevention Coordinator, fallen, spread eagled, with a dent in my car door in the shape of my own forehead. It happened so fast, one second of inattention and I was flat on the ground. And to make matters worse, I had just left the quarterly meeting of the Hawai’i Fall Prevention Consortium.

First, it’s important to know that falls are the most common fatal unintentional injuries in our state. Second, falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries among Hawai’i residents with more than 21,000 emergency room visits per year. That’s more than two falls every single hour. That’s a lot of pain, misery and money. And the majority of the fallers are 65 years or older. One single moment of inattention and, in my case, stupidity, and I fell. However, this fall (like most others) was preventable.

I use the word “stupidity” because I should know better. Someone called my name, I turned to respond, and continued to walk without looking where I was going as I tripped on a curb and ran my forehead straight into my car door. Had my forehead come in contact with anything other than the soft spot in the side door of my car …say six inches to the left where the steel pillar and door hinges are, I would have been severely injured. I was just lucky.

At 72 years of age, and with lousy balance, I cannot afford to make these mistakes. I know that we all have friends who have tripped, fallen, collided with their dog, slipped in their bathtub or in some other way fallen and severely injured themselves. We are all old enough to know better … we must stop being inattentive especially while walking. While walking, walk and watch where you put your feet. If you want to chat with a friend while walking make sure you are on a level path with no obstructions. Don’t stop walking, as it is one of the best things we can do to stay active and strong. Just be careful and don’t forget to raise your head and look several feet ahead now and then so that you can respond to obstacles or a change in terrain, grade and, yes, as with my case … curbs.

Four simple tips:

You can prevent falls and stay independent by taking these simple precautions.

1) Medication — Some medications cause dizziness,vwhich can lead to falls. Be proactive andvmake an appointment with your doctor or pharmacistvtoday to review your medications, includingvany over-the-counter drugs and supplements.

2) Exercise — Balance and strength are essential to preventing falls. Be active and do simple movements — walk, garden, yoga, swim, dance, tai chi — every day to prevent a fall.

3) Vision — Maintaining good vision helps with balance and safety. Be proactive and have your eyes and eyewear checked at least once a year.

4) Remove Hazards — Make your home safer by removing fall hazards. Keep pathways clear and the floor free of objects. For a home safety checklist, visit www.nogethurt.hawaii.gov.

Hawai‘i State Department of Health offices:

Oahu: 1250 Punchbowl St., Honolulu
Ph: (808) 586-4400 | Fax: (808) 586-4444
health.hawaii.gov

Hilo: 75 Aupuni St., #201, Hilo
Phone: (808) 974-6006 | Fax: (808) 974-6000

Kona: 79-1015 Haukapila St., Kealakekua
Ph: (808) 322-4880 | Fax: (808) 322-1504

Waimea: 67-5189 Kamamalu St., Kamuela
Ph: (808) 887-8114 | Fax: (808) 887-8118

MAUI: 54 South High St., Rm. #301, Wailuku,
Ph: (808) 984-8200

Kauai: 3040 Umi St., Lihue, HI 96766
Ph: (808) 241-3614

There I was, the Hawai’i State Fall Prevention Coordinator, fallen, spread eagled, with a dent in my car door in the shape of my own forehead. It happened so fast, one second of inattention and I was flat on the ground. And to make matters worse, I had just left the quarterly meeting of the…
Caregiver Burnout
In a 2012, 15 percent of Hawai‘i’s population was 65 years and older. This statistic continues to increase; and as part of our culture in Hawai‘I to care for our loved ones, many families have assumed the role of caregiver. Being a caregiver can include providing supervision, assisting in meal preparation, doctor’s visits, medications, and more. It is common for those providing care to struggle with managing a full-time job, raising a family and the demands of being a caregiver.

The term “caregiver burnout” refers to the physical, emotional and mental exhaustion frequently experienced by caregivers. According the American Heart Association, signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout can include:

depression

changes in appetite

change in sleep patterns

difficulty concentrating

It is important to recognize these symptoms and take the necessary steps to seek help from family, friends or a medical professional.

Families may also want to consider exploring alternative options for care. For instance, The Community Care Foster Home Program is a long-term care program where qualified adults can receive medical care and supervision in licensed Adult Foster Homes without the excessive cost. For more information about the Adult Foster Home Program, please visit www.humanservices.hawaii.gov.

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.nightingalecasemanagement.com.
In a 2012, 15 percent of Hawai‘i’s population was 65 years and older. This statistic continues to increase; and as part of our culture in Hawai‘I to care for our loved ones, many families have assumed the role of caregiver. Being a caregiver can include providing supervision, assisting in meal preparation, doctor’s visits, medications, and…
Caring for Yourself: Kidney Disease Update
What would you do if you were told you might be sick, or might become sick, even though you feel fine, have no symptoms of which you are aware, and think that you are generally in “good health?” Would you bother to do anything at all under those circumstances? Would you tend to think that you will deal with a potential health problem if and when you begin to notice some symptoms? After all, we’re all generally pretty busy, and dealing with something that “might” become an issue could easily be filed in the “Someday, Maybe” file.

A New Study is Published

Unfortunately, for many Americans this scenario is, or will become, a reality — and many of us are unaware that a problem may exist. According to a new analysis published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease, nearly six of ten Americans will develop kidney disease in their lifetime. That’s not a misprint; a new study completed by a team of researchers at Johns Hopkins University determined that the lifetime risk of moderate kidney disease for Americans is 59.1 percent. That is substantially higher than the lifetime risk of having a heart attack, diabetes or invasive cancer (which are significant illnesses in their own right). According to the analysis, “Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising in prevalence, increasingly expensive, and associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality.” (Am J Kidney Dis. 2013;62(2):245)

For those of us living in Hawai‘i, the prospect of a similar lifetime risk is even more daunting. While the Johns Hopkins University study did not make a state-by-state breakdown, it is generally known that Hawai‘i has a higher incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease than is found on the Mainland. At least in part, that is because CKD is not an equal opportunity disease. For reasons that are not yet clear, certain ethnic groups have a higher incidence of the disease than do other ethnic groups, including (in no particular order) Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, Asians, including Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese and others, African Americans and Latinos. Given the ethnic composition of our local population, it is reasonable to expect that the lifetime risk of CKD for people living in the Islands will be even higher than reported for the nation as a whole as represented in the Johns Hopkins University study.

The new analysis, the first of its kind for kidney disease, also called attention to the very high risk that women have of developing moderate kidney disease, in part because moderate kidney disease risk increases dramatically starting at age 60. Women have a tendency to outlive men, making kidney disease a particular concern of women who might expect a long life.

Additionally, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes and risk factors, yet many people don’t link these with kidney disease. Even those with diabetes and high blood pressure aren’t always tested for kidney disease. High blood pressure can cause kidney disease, and in turn kidney disease can cause high blood pressure, so there is a cyclical relationship.

What You Can Do to Safeguard Your Kidney Health

Clearly, Chronic Kidney Disease is a serious, high-risk problem. Fortunately, having a problem and dealing with a problem are not necessarily the same thing. In the case of Chronic Kidney Disease, for many people — even those who may be in the early stages of the disease—there are things that can be done to help.

A good first step you may want to take is to learn whether or not you may have kidney disease, even if you “feel fine” and consider yourself to be “in good health.” According to the National Kidney Foundation, the awareness level of most people is really low. It is estimated that fewer than 50 percent of people with advanced kidney disease (stage 4) are aware of their disease. It’s safe to say that most of us who may be in the early stages of kidney disease are also unaware of our true health condition. As a result of this latest study, the foundation is now calling on healthcare professionals and adults at risk to take action. People at risk for kidney disease should have an annual screening. Those who are generally considered to be at risk include people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and those over 60 year of age or with a family history of kidney failure.

Your family physician can order simple urine and blood tests to check for the disease. A urine test is for albumin — a protein — which indicates early kidney damage. The blood test measures kidney function. Filtration of less than 60 indicates kidney disease — less than half the filtration capacity of healthy adults.

Early detection allows early intervention, which can help prevent progression of the disease and the risk of complications, such as heart disease and stroke. Early detection can also improve patient safety in terms of appropriate medication use for those with reduced kidney function.

Other things an adult can do to reduce the risk of kidney disease include the following:

Control blood pressure and blood sugar

Maintain proper weight through healthy diet and regular exercise

Quit smoking

Avoid excessive use of pain medication that can harm the kidneys, such as ibuprofen.

Once kidney disease is advanced — when urine tests for kidney damage show large amounts of protein in the urine and blood tests measuring kidney function are less than 30 — a nephrologist can provide the expert care that is needed.

At this stage, diet is critical and the help of a clinical dietician is helpful.

Be proactive. Don’t wait until you don’t feel quite right to take the tests. And, if you have any of the risk factors mentioned in this article, check with your family doctor. Early detection will enable you to have a better quality of life and hold the disease in check.

Let Us Help You and Your Caregiver

For all of us, having better awareness of our health and nutrition is key to living an enriching lifestyle. At the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i we try to make this easy. Our website, Facebook page and eNewsletters are filled with information that will keep you up to date. We encourage people to join the Willie K. Challenge, which encourages us all to eat better and exercise. Our programs department regularly holds public health and kidney screening events that inform people and measure a person’s kidney-related health.

If you are a patient, family member or a caregiver, we offer support groups to help you cope with the lifestyle surrounding kidney disease. Members meet to discuss important treatment issues, learn from the experience of others and become active in managing kidney disease.

Caregivers and patients may also want to participate in our Peer Mentoring program, where those who have dealt with the challenges of chronic kidney disease address your questions and concerns.

Our K.I.W.I. program is open to patients and caregivers who want to learn about lifestyle issues such as nutrition and exercise, how to shop for kidney-friendly foods and prepare meals for kidney patients.

To join a program, become a volunteer or simply keep in touch, call Jeff at 589-5976 or email jeff@kidneyhi.org.

For more information, visit the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i at www.kidneyhi.org, or the national website at www.kidney.org.
What would you do if you were told you might be sick, or might become sick, even though you feel fine, have no symptoms of which you are aware, and think that you are generally in “good health?” Would you bother to do anything at all under those circumstances? Would you tend to think that…
Estate Planning: Preventing the Fight
You kids, don’t fight when I’m gone. These were always my Mom’s words as she left to go grocery shopping, and left my brothers and me home alone. I remember, as soon as we’d heard the car leave the garage, we would start fighting over something.

Now as an adult, I notice that the same experience happens among adult children when their parents leave for the last time. While parents are with us, we tend to behave and get along. And once our parents die, many of us begin to argue and fight.

This is sad for me to see time and again … As children not only lose a parent, but also their relationships with their siblings. None of my clients want their children to fight — especially after they’re gone. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why people set up estate plans. And estate planning attorneys can advise parents how to minimize the risk of jealousy, rivalry and infighting between their children. Sometimes we must continue to parent beyond the grave.

Here are five estate planning suggestions to minimize fighting:

Don’t give your children the same asset, give them different things

Make it as equal as possible

Don’t leave decision-making up to them — you are the parent and these are your assets … you make the call

Meet with the family and explain the estate plan

Clearly explain your reasoning behind your decisions and share the “why” behind each gift

Stephen B. Yim, Attorney at Law | 2054 S. Beretania St., Hon. | (808) 524-0251 | stephenyimestateplanning.com
You kids, don’t fight when I’m gone. These were always my Mom’s words as she left to go grocery shopping, and left my brothers and me home alone. I remember, as soon as we’d heard the car leave the garage, we would start fighting over something. Now as an adult, I notice that the same…
October – November 2013

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Emme Tomimbang: When Caregiving Come Full Circle
Spouses Have a Significant Benefit

Social Security can be an important financial asset for married couples when the time comes to apply for retirement benefits. In many cases, one spouse may have earned significantly more than the other, or have worked for a longer span of time. Or it could be that one spouse stayed home to raise the children or care for elderly family members while the other focused on a career.

Regardless of your situation, Social Security will look at all possibilities to make sure both spouses receive the maximum benefit possible.

Even if you have not paid Social Security taxes, it’s likely you’ll be eligible to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. If you did work and pay into Social Security, we will check eligibility based on your work record and your spouse’s to see which amount is higher.

You can apply for spouses benefits the same way that you apply for benefits on your own record. You can apply for reduced benefits as early as age 62, or for 100 percent of your full retirement benefits at your “full retirement age.” You can find your full retirement age, based on your birth year, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.

The benefit amount you can receive as a spouse, if you have reached your full retirement age, can be as much as one half of your spouse’s full benefit. If you opt for early retirement, your benefit may be as little as a third of your spouse’s full benefit amount.

If your spouse has already reached full retirement age but continues to work, your spouse can apply for retirement benefits and request to have the payments suspended until as late as age 70. This would allow the worker to earn delayed retirement credits that will mean higher payments later, but would allow you to receive your spouse’s benefit.

You can also apply for spouse benefits based on the earnings record of an ex-spouse or deceased spouse if you were married for at least 10 years. Spouses can consider a number of options and variables. We make it easier to navigate them. A good place to start is by visiting our benefits planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. Take note of the “Benefits As A Spouse” section.

If you are ready to apply for benefits, the fastest, easiest and most convenient way is to apply online. You can do so at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.

Whether you receive benefits on a spouse’s record or your own, rest assured we will make sure you get the highest benefit we can pay you. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.

For other information and locations near you:

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

Social Security can be an important financial asset for married couples when the time comes to apply for retirement benefits. In many cases, one spouse may have earned significantly more than the other, or have worked for a longer span of time. Or it could be that one spouse stayed home to raise the children…
What’s So Good About Growing Older?

Dr. Lucy Miller and William Neil Rapozo, Sr. of Kauai County

John McGuire and Betty Chieko Goya of Honolulu County

As part of Older Americans Month in May, the Hawai’I State Executive Office on Aging and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs joined the Area Agencies on Aging and Gov. Abercrombie in recognizing eight outstanding senior citizen volunteers from each of the four counties. The 2013 honorees are: Dr. Lucy Miller and William Neil Rapozo, Sr. Of Kauai County; Betty Chieko Goya and John McGuire of Honolulu County; and Diane Logsdon and Richard Endsley of Maui County; Shirley Ito and Peter Hoffmann of Hawai’i County. These outstanding kupuna represent the thousands of seniors who contribute to the wellness and quality of life of their communities.

Every year, eight kupuna — one male and one female from each county — are selected as Older American volunteer honorees for the exemplary work they do to aid and support their individual communities. Each of the honorees personifies the contributions Older Americans continue to make well into retirement as productive, active, and influential members of society. This year the honorees were recognized by the Governor in Older American Month events in each county.

“We celebrate Older Americans Month each year to recognize the vitality of older adults and their outstanding contributions to our communities,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “Each of the 2013 Older Americans Month Award honorees from across our state embodies this year’s national Older Americans Month theme, ‘Unleash the Power of Age!’ Kupuna are taking on new roles in retirement. The people of Hawai’i appreciate and thank them for their continuing service.”

Richard Endsley and Diane Logsdon of Maui County

Peter Hoffmann and Shirley Ito of Hawai’i County

As part of Older Americans Month in May, the Hawai’I State Executive Office on Aging and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs joined the Area Agencies on Aging and Gov. Abercrombie in recognizing eight outstanding senior citizen volunteers from each of the four counties. The 2013 honorees are: Dr. Lucy Miller and William Neil…
International Adventure

Mrs. Matthews and I just returned from a trip to Europe. We went to Lisbon, Portugal for a Rotary International Convention and then to Munich, Germany to visit with friends.

The thrill of international travel can often be marred by the fact of international travel. Plane delays, for example, often derail plans and force travelers into unexpected circumstances. But here’s something we noticed — senior travelers seem to cope the best. Why is that? Often, I think, each new thing that happens to us is considered an adventure. Seniors have had many ‘adventures’ during their lives and that makes it easier to look at the next ‘inconvenience’ as just yet another turn in the road.

There were families with toddlers who also managed to cope — but overall, coping is easier when you don’t have little ones. (On the flight from Munich to San Francisco, there was a toddler who could be the next opera star. He yelled and hollered for 10 hours straight. Try that, Michael Buble!)

The downside to traveling as a senior is that your pill, lotion, ointment, remedy, soothing oils bag may not fit in the overhead bin. Get used to it. It’s not likely to stop there.

In Portugal and Germany, there were crowded town squares where people from all generations gathered. Seniors were treated with respect, given the right-of-way when they needed it, doors opened for them, they were allowed to move to the front of the line when it appeared they were weakening. We were, in many cases, in tourist destinations and yet the courtesy on the part of residents was extended to visitors and neighbors alike.

The message here … don’t be afraid to travel for the adventure, for the learning, for the experience if you are a senior. In most cases, you will be treated with style and grace by the people whose country you are visiting.

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

Mrs. Matthews and I just returned from a trip to Europe. We went to Lisbon, Portugal for a Rotary International Convention and then to Munich, Germany to visit with friends. The thrill of international travel can often be marred by the fact of international travel. Plane delays, for example, often derail plans and force travelers…