There are many ways of honing your mental sharpness and helping your brain stay healthy. You could work on jigsaw puzzles, listen or play music, learn a new language, use your non-dominant hand or even socialize.
Doctors often use specific neurological exams to assess the integrity of the central nervous system. One could take these same neurological exams and use them to exercise or to rehabilitate specific areas of the brain.
Here are three brain exercises to try:
◆ Index finger-thumb tapping: examines motor function. One hand at a time, tap the index finger on the thumb as fast and as big as possible, separating the digits as wide as possible before tapping. This will help exercise the motor area.
◆ Finger-to-nose test: assesses coordination. Extend your arms straight out to your sides and then touch the tip of your nose with the tip of your index finger. Alternate hands. This exercise can help with cerebellar deficiencies— balance issues or essential tremors.
◆ Rapid alternating movements exam: helps with cerebellar issues. One hand at a time, rapidly and repeatedly flip your hand from the palm-up to the palm-down position.
If you find doing these exercises difficult, more reason to do them. The more you do them, the more neuro-pathways can be reinforced, helping your brain (and body) to stay healthy
There are many ways of honing your mental sharpness and helping your brain stay healthy. You could work on jigsaw puzzles, listen or play music, learn a new language, use your non-dominant hand or even socialize. Doctors often use specific neurological exams to assess the integrity of the central nervous system. One could take these…
A Greek proverb says, “A society grows great when old people plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.” This is the basis for an expanding network that is harnessing the power of the over-50 age group.
The demographic landscape has changed over time, requiring a paradigm shift regarding what we think and how we feel about people over 50 — including how they work and contribute to society.
There are more people in the U.S. over 50 today than there are under 18. By 2035, 140 million Americans — more than 1 in 3 — will be over 50. With decades of productivity ahead, adults 50 and over are a growing and renewable resource. Encore.org’s goal is to help those decades become a time of social contribution and impact in order to leave the world better than we found it.
Encore.org addresses this shift by outlining changes that need to be made and innovating new ideas and models to leverage the skills and talents of experienced adults. It is also the hub for a growing group of leaders advancing the Encore Movement, which aims to solve social problems by making use of the experience of people in midlife and beyond. It includes people in or aspiring to transition to their encores, the people and organizations working to enable encores and the organizations tapping encore talent.
The many organizations that were spawned by or are aligned with the Encore Movement are organized into the Encore Network, a global coalition of leaders and organizations committed to turning our longer lives into a valuable asset.
An “encore” or “encore career” is continued work in the second half of life that combines social impact, purpose, and often, continued income. An encore can be paid or volunteer and doesn’t have to be limited to the nonprofit sector.
Although it’s much more about life stage than age, the encore phase of life sits squarely in those years that used to comprise retirement. Many people plan for their encores in their late 40s or early 50s and move into encore work in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond.
If you are thinking about your own encore, look under the “Resources” section of Encore.org, where you’ll see a page called “For Encore Seekers” that will suggest ideas and resources, including The Encore Career Handbook.
There are Encore Networks in 33 states and 12 countries, but none have been established in Hawai‘i. You can change that. Together, we can create a better future for future generations.
A Greek proverb says, “A society grows great when old people plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.” This is the basis for an expanding network that is harnessing the power of the over-50 age group. The demographic landscape has changed over time, requiring a paradigm shift regarding what we think and how…
The HOT HULA fitness® Matua workout provides exhilarating exercise using Polynesian dance moves. Matua is a Māori word meaning elder or parent, so this fitness routine is geared to seniors, but can also be enjoyed by all age groups and fitness levels. Anyone who enjoys dancing and keeping fit can benefit from this exercise with a Polynesian flair.
HOT HULA fitness® Matua is a low-impact, yet heart-pumping cardio workout that targets larger muscle groups to increase strength and definition of your core (abs), glutes, quads and arms. This action-packed dance provides a 60-minute, total body workout.
HOT HULA fitness has four basic moves: 1) Tamau is hitting your hips side to side; 2) Ami is a circle movement; 3) Afata is a box movement by which you are drawing a box with your hips, hitting all four corners; and 4) Varu, a figure eight (the infinity symbol).
Inspired by the dances of the Pacific Islands, HOT HULA fitness® movements are set to the sounds of traditional Polynesian drumbeats fused with funky Reggae music. The instructor breaks down each choreographed siva (dance) into easy sections. The founder, Anna Rita Sloss, believed in helping her ‘aiga (family) as she searched for a program that would help move her people toward an active lifestyle.
“Our people can relate to drumbeats. When they hear it, they start moving and swaying their hips — enticed to get off their bums and move!” she says. Numerous studies show how dancing benefits benefits mind and body by getting your heart pumping and your blood flowing — a plus for joints, heart and brain. Dancing helps participants lose weight and manage stress. It also instills grace and exercises memory to help curb development of dementia.
Studies also show that dancing lifts the spirit, which is one of the many reasons I love teaching this format.
The exercise pace of HOT HULA fitness® Matua is slower and each move is specially modified for the matua. However, students may opt to execute either the full movements or the modified version. The health benefits are the same.
I encourage my HOT HULA fitness® Matua class to “move at your own pace and listen to your body. Keep moving your feet and make those big circles with your hips.”
HAWAII BALLROOM DANCE ASSOCIATION
98-019 Kamehameha Highway, Ste. 211A, Aiea, HI 96701 808-753-8673
The HOT HULA fitness® Matua workout provides exhilarating exercise using Polynesian dance moves. Matua is a Māori word meaning elder or parent, so this fitness routine is geared to seniors, but can also be enjoyed by all age groups and fitness levels. Anyone who enjoys dancing and keeping fit can benefit from this exercise with…
Do you recall in your younger days having lots of friends? Did you have so many that your social calendar always seemed full?
As we age, our social network changes. Our friends may move away, enter careers that take us in different directions, or get busy with family activities. While our social network may look different now, it is still important to maintain a group of family and friends. Studies have shown a direct correlation between life satisfaction and the presence of social networks with older adults 50 and over.
Many factors will influence who will be in your social network. Perhaps it is your family who you live with, a church group or even former high school classmates who you feel most comfortable socializing with. Sometimes transportation or mobility issues may lead you to limit your social network to your neighborhood or those who are in the vicinity. A social network becomes a resource and sounding board to discuss topics that make our lives better. Socialization has been proven to decrease feelings of loneliness or isolation.
So whether you meet others to walk the mall or catch up over coffee every Wednesday at a nearby café or you join a formal networking group, don’t ignore the importance of interacting with others. It may be just what you need or you may be exactly what someone else really needs.
Do you recall in your younger days having lots of friends? Did you have so many that your social calendar always seemed full? As we age, our social network changes. Our friends may move away, enter careers that take us in different directions, or get busy with family activities. While our social network may look…
Spring cleaning can be a satisfying experience for seniors, but it’s important to do it safely. Take your time, rest often and stay hydrated. Do not climb on furniture or a ladder. Ask for help. Staying safe is more than wearing an alert device. Work safely so you don’t have to activate it!
Use Careful Cleaning Methods.Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin from harsh chemicals. Senior skin is thinner and more sensitive.
Declutter.Clutter poses a falling risk for seniors — especially when reorganizing closets. “De-junking” surfaces and floors reduces that risk.
Clean Hidden Sources of Germs in the Kitchen.Sponges harbor food-borne bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. Disinfect sponges with bleach every day. Clean countertops and everyday kitchen items with disinfectant, followed by hot, soapy water.
Take Fire Safety Precautions. Replace batteries in smoke detectors, keep the stovetop area free of flammables, and clean the lint filter in the dryer before and after each load.
Clean the Air.Seniors with asthma may be even more sensitive to pollutants like dust. Replace your HVAC filter often. Choose a HEPA filter, which removes dust, mold and pollen.
Spring cleaning can be a satisfying experience for seniors, but it’s important to do it safely. Take your time, rest often and stay hydrated. Do not climb on furniture or a ladder. Ask for help. Staying safe is more than wearing an alert device. Work safely so you don’t have to activate it!
The Hawai‘i State Archives is a little-known, virtually untapped (by most of us) compilation of Hawai‘i’s history.
It’s mission is to ensure open government by preserving and making accessible the historic records of state government and to partner with state agencies to manage their records. The division is organized into two branches — the Historical Records Branch, which is accessible to the public, and the Records Management Branch, which does not offer services directly to the public.
The Historical Records Branch preserves and provides public access to the state’s government archives and special collections through the Hawai‘i State Archives. These government records date from the monarchy to the current legislative session, and include photographs, maps, artifacts, 19th century newspapers, rare books, and library collections specializing in Hawaiian history, culture
and Pacific voyages, and private collections.
The archives opened to the public in 1906. As caretakers of irreplaceable historical treasures, the Hawai‘i State Archives has the responsibility of ensuring the materials are available for research, study and viewing by the public. Therefore new security measures are being implemented:
• Upon entering, all visitors will check in using
the Patron Registration system.
• All visitors will check in with the security guard
and surrender a current government-issued photo
ID (i.e. driver’s license, state ID, passport, etc.) in
exchange for a research badge.
• All bags, purses, folders and containers must be
stored in your free locker.
• Loose papers entering the research room will be
stapled by the guard (or leave them in a locker).
• Only bound materials (notebooks, books, papers
bound in binders) are allowed, which will be inspected
before entry and again as you exit.
• No food or drinks are allowed.
Summary of rules and procedures can be found on the archive website, ags.hawaii.gov/archives: search for “Public Use of Archives.”
HAWAI‘I STATE ARCHIVES
Kekāuluohi Building, ‘Iolani Palace Grounds
364 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96813 808-586-0329 | archives@hawaii.gov ags.hawaii.gov/archives Business Hours: Mon–Fri 9 am to 4 pm; Closed Sat, Sun, state holidays
The Hawai‘i State Archives is a little-known, virtually untapped (by most of us) compilation of Hawai‘i’s history. It’s mission is to ensure open government by preserving and making accessible the historic records of state government and to partner with state agencies to manage their records. The division is organized into two branches — the Historical…
The Shim family documents their genealogy to Emperor Hwang Ti, China’s first emperor, who began building the Great Wall. In the 1860s, Shims from Kwangtung Province across the China Sea from Hong Kong took advantage of agricultural and business opportunities in Kula, and worked hard to improve life in Upcountry Maui.
Goong Goong (grandfather) Shim Bow was a herbalist healer. He died at age 58, but Popo (grandmother) worked her farm, still carrying avocados uphill when she was in her 80s. She lived to 104, had excellent hearing and vision, no diseases and very little white in her hair.
Our uncle, Shim Mook, was a prominent business man who supervised the building of the Kula pipeline in 1905. His mule teams pulled loads of pipes as far as the mules could go; then Chinese workers carried them the rest of the way. A Chinese teacher was needed in Kula, so he wrote to China and they sent Rev. Shim Yin Chin. It took remarkable dedication and courage to leave his family and come to Hawai‘i, but he was ordained here, and in 1907, opened the doors of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Rev. Shim successfully lobbied to amend the Homestead Act in 1911 to keep Chinese farmers from losing their land. The Legislature agreed: “Chinese who had been long resident in the district, and whose children, seventeen or eighteen years of age who had been born here, would be granted leases on the premises which they had occupied and improved.”
Grandma’s Coffee House and Henry Fong Store.
Shim Mook’s grandson, Herbert, was a farmer, rancher, conservationist and founder of the first Upcountry farmers’ market. His brother, Richard Shim, is called “The Mayor of Kēōkea,” a place once known as “China Town.” He loves to share the history of Kēōkea Sun Yat-sen Park and the Kwock Hing Society hall with family and visitors.
Next door to Fong Store in Kēōkea is Grandma’s Coffee House. That building was Shim’s Restaurant, opened by Shim Bow’s son, Harold, and his wife, Hannah, during WWII. They kept the military men well fed!
Casey Shim picking coffee on his farm.
At 89, nephew Casey Shim works the rich soil of his Kula farm, called “Utopia.” His one-man coffee and botanical farm wins many accolades from connoisseurs across the country. Casey attributes his green thumb to his ancestors. He says, “Being among plants is very relaxing and healing. If you’re around nature a lot, you won’t ever need a psychiatrist.” Even at his advanced age, harvesting 3,700 pounds of coffee beans each year by himself is something he enjoys!
Shim generations gather at the Kwock Hing Society.
Many Shims were founding members of the Kwock Hing Society, erected in 1907 as a place where Chinese families could get information from China. (Dr. Sun Yat-sen came here to plan his overthrow of the Manchu Dynasty.) Today, our family still gathers at Kwock Hing to socialize and share our Chinese cultural events, traditions and rituals. On April 22, we will celebrate Ching Ming
grave-cleaning day with prayers and a community banquet.
Bibliography: Talk-story sessions with Harold Shim, Herbert Shim, Richard Shim, Casey Shim; St. John’s Church Archive, Kwock Hing Society Archive.
The Shim family documents their genealogy to Emperor Hwang Ti, China’s first emperor, who began building the Great Wall. In the 1860s, Shims from Kwangtung Province across the China Sea from Hong Kong took advantage of agricultural and business opportunities in Kula, and worked hard to improve life in Upcountry Maui.
Jane Hiranaga volunteers as a greeter for her senior community at The Plaza Assisted Living at Waikīkī. She also organizes group outings to Mānoa Valley to visit her granddaughter, Erin Uehara, a specialty chocolatier and owner of the Choco Le‘a chocolate shop.
“Who doesn’t love chocolate?” says Erin. “Seniors especially love our shop because it is like the candy stores of long ago. Tutus tell me the chocolate aroma and display cases evoke the nostalgia of going to their favorite candy store when they were keiki.”
The shop sources its chocolate locally and from Europe, making the ganache and fondant centers from exclusively local ingredients. Creamy caramels, butterscotch and crunchy nut clusters are customer favorites, but Erin raises the bar with her own local-flair creations, like creamy, chocolate truffles that surprise the palate with bits of tangy, tropical fruit jelly, or smooth kaki mochi. The truffles are a kūpuna favorite. For Chinese New Year, she makes gau truffles to bring good luck and satisfy the local custom and taste buds.
The benefits of consuming chocolate go beyond flavor — the sweet treat actually contains a molecule that is the same natural substance the body produces when falling in love! Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. And dark chocolate has added health benefits as well, including reducing the risk of heart disease and lowering blood pressure. Research also shows that dark chocolate may also improve the function of your brain! So Jane’s sweet outings offer seniors a happy and healthy trip down memory lane. Maybe that’s why they are always packed!
Jane Hiranaga volunteers as a greeter for her senior community at The Plaza Assisted Living at Waikīkī. She also organizes group outings to Mānoa Valley to visit her granddaughter, Erin Uehara, a specialty chocolatier and owner of the Choco Le‘a chocolate shop. “Who doesn’t love chocolate?” says Erin.
Even the most solid sibling dynamic can erupt into arguments when it comes to the health and welfare of beloved parents who are beginning to show signs of frailty.
You: “Hey. Mom and Dad fell twice; why don’t we hire a helper each day?”
Your sister: “Nah, they’re OK — you’re hyper.”
Your brother: “The doctor says they are fine. So what — you’re our expert now?”
You: “DAD WAS ON THE FLOOR FOR AN HOUR!
Mom couldn’t find her cell phone to call us! Me hyper? If something BAD happens, it’s your fault!”
Siblings duking it out without parental input can result in complete caregiving failure. On the other hand, wise families collaborate without meltdowns or muzzling each other.
Three Smart ABC Steps to Building a Family Dream Team
1. ATTITUDE. Switch negative thoughts into positive language and behaviors.
Tip:Perceptive families tactfully welcome and value new ideas. They are patient and kind regarding each other’s opinions and suggestions.
2. BRAINSTORMING. Tough topics require discussion: financing caregiving, selling vs. renting the family home, dividing assets, sharing caregiving responsibilities. Savvy families form judgment-free zones where everyone is protected from criticism when they voice their suggestions. They must also be understanding when their ideas are not accepted by all.
Tip:Circulate a “WHAT IF?” list to gather ideas and suggestions from everyone in order to give all time to think about them in depth rather than responding quickly with an emotional outburst.
3. COMMAND CENTRAL. Akamai families prepare ahead by finding out their parents’ wishes instead of guessing in order to carry out their desires. They prepare for financial outcomes, and have easy access to advanced directives and wills. Clarity saves time and money.
Tip:Gather documents in a binder to serve as a treasure trove of parents’ wishes and resources that everyone can refer to. This paves a smooth road ahead by avoiding unwanted potholes and excess stress at an already stressful time.
ANNETTE PANG
Family Caregiver Coach and Life Transition Advisor 808-372-3478 | ap@annettepang.com Annette Pang offers workshops, online training and one-to-one private life coaching. She has owned two adult residential care homes since 2000. She adores her four siblings and her husband’s four siblings—all smart and kind.
Even the most solid sibling dynamic can erupt into arguments when it comes to the health and welfare of beloved parents who are beginning to show signs of frailty.
Many patients wish they could enjoy their dentist’s company beyond a quick, customary greeting before their ability to speak is interrupted by the whirr of the drill.
Like everyone else, dentists have families, hobbies, enjoy their favorite beverage, have bills to pay and look forward to having fun. And just like everyone else, “busy” is a dentist’s life.
Public education on dental care keeps dentists hopping, too. Commercials for electric toothbrushes, new toothpastes and improved water flossers (by the way, all of these products are great!) focus people on their smiles. The public is also aware of the new advances in dentistry. Dental-related companies advertise ways to straighten teeth, whiten teeth and freshen breath. Dentists must keep up with technology, convenience and new techniques to do the best job possible.
No wonder dentists are so busy — but with worthwhile results! In a recent national survey, Hawai‘i ranked fifth for oral health. That’s pretty good considering all the sweets we consume and given how much we love crack seed!
The next time you go to your dentist, you’ll understand why he/she is so engaged and focused.
I would like to know my patients better, too. But if there is no time for conversation, just know I appreciate how you are taking preventive care of your teeth. Your healthy smile says it all!
Many patients wish they could enjoy their dentist’s company beyond a quick, customary greeting before their ability to speak is interrupted by the whirr of the drill. Like everyone else, dentists have families, hobbies, enjoy their favorite beverage, have bills to pay and look forward to having fun. And just like everyone else, “busy” is…
The vision of the Alzheimer’s Association is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. To realize this vision, we fund research to better diagnose, treat and ultimately cure the disease. In fact, we are the world’s largest nonprofit funder of dementia research.
A few highlights of our progress:
Diagnosing the Disease: Biomarkers
A biomarker is a measurable indicator of the severity or presence of a disease state. As blood pressure is an indicator for cardiovascular disease, or hemoglobin A1C for diabetes, promising research is being done to identify biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. There are now ways to measure the presence of amyloid plaque or tau tangles, which are hallmarks of the disease, through imaging, blood tests, saliva, spinal fluid tests and retina screenings. We are optimistic that early diagnosis years before symptoms occur will be possible in the near future.
Early diagnosis will enable early intervention and preclinical research opportunities to understand changes in the brain and body which lead to mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
A Healthy Heart = A Healthy Head: Lifestyle
The brain utilizes about 20 percent of the blood pumped by the heart, so what is good for your heart is good for your head. When people have cardiovascular disease or diabetes, blood vessels don’t work very well. Studies have shown that as many as 80 percent of individuals with Alzheimer’s also have cardiovascular disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association has championed and funded efforts to understand the role lifestyle plays in keeping our brain (and heart) healthy. Through our U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER), we evaluate whether lifestyle interventions (diet, physical activity, mind/ brain stimulation, etc.) that target risk factors for dementia protect cognition in older adults who are at increased risk. U.S. POINTER is the first such study to be conducted in a large group in the country.
Medications
Pharmacological therapy has a role to play in treatment and potentially, in prevention. As biomarkers become available, therapeutics and other interventions can be introduced earlier, years before symptoms of dementia develop. The science is working. It isn’t a matter of whether we will find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, but when.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
1130 N. Nimitz Highway, Ste. A-265, Honolulu, HI 96817 808-591-2771 | www.alz.org
The vision of the Alzheimer’s Association is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. To realize this vision, we fund research to better diagnose, treat and ultimately cure the disease. In fact, we are the world’s largest nonprofit funder of dementia research. A few highlights of our progress…
Negative thoughts are like parasites silently eating away your health. Can we overcome this harmful habit and beat the odds? I say, “Yes! Definitely!”
Our state of mind affects our health, so when you think like a pessimist, always expecting the worst, your fight-or-flight response is often stuck on standby. To illustrate, think of worrisome thoughts as revving your car. It’s useful before a race to test the engine, but if you keep gunning it all the time, you will burn out the motor.
Pessimists tend to have higher blood pressure and triglyceride levels than optimists, according to University of Pittsburgh research. Studies also reveal that a dour outlook can affect your organs, but optimism can boost your health. Jeffrey Huffman, MD, director of cardiac psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, concludes, “Happy and hopeful people are more likely to exercise, eat healthy and, of course, stop smoking.” In other words, happiness empowers us to take charge of our health.
Other studies prove that staying positive can tighten the faucet on cortisol, a stress hormone linked to hardening of the arteries. And IL6,
an inflammatory cytokine, is linked to multiple sclerosis and heart disease. So, looking on the sunny side pays big dividends.
When you reflect on the past, focus on your accomplishments. Savor the present; expect three good things to happen today. When you count your blessings, there may be even more than three! Start today — your health is your wealth.
Our state of mind affects our health, so when you think like a pessimist, always expecting the worst, your fight-or-flight response is often stuck on standby. To illustrate, think of worrisome thoughts as revving your car. It’s useful before a race to test the engine, but if you keep gunning it all the time, you…
