Baby boomers — from the Vietnam era of their youth to the technology boom of their midlife upward mobility — 76 million baby boomers made news as they faced every new cycle of life. Now, their retirement and aging put strain on our nation’s health care system, and baby boomers’ own families. Our cover feature, “Sandwiched,” (click here or in pgs. 18– 25 of the magazine) tells the story of three midlife professionals sandwiched between the needs of their children or siblings while they are care-giving for their aging parents. Financial Planner Michael Yee calls it a “Silent Tsunami” of families who don’t reach out for help, but try to handle their care-giving needs alone. Mike, Pamela and Lorri share their care-giving experiences publicly for the first time — with the hope that their stories will help other caregivers.
Our GM contributing authors continue this important theme with care-giving wisdom and financial planning strategies for baby boomers and their families.
We are very excited to have two boomers, the luminary team of Linda Coble and Kirk Matthews, kicking off a regular column as they enter and explore the joys of their own retirement years — up close and personal,(click here or on pg. 12 of the magazine).
Don’t miss our special feature (click here or on pg. 40 of the magazine) on prescription drug addiction among Hawai‘I seniors by Marc Cohen, author of the Edgy Lee documentary, Unprescribed—Prescription for Addiction. Claire Santos reported in Civil Beat in May, “Opioid [painkiller] overdose deaths now outnumber deaths from cocaine and heroin combined and exceed the number of deaths from motor vehicle accidents. That’s a pretty grim picture.”
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Aug. 15, for the ninth annual “Aging In Place Workshop” at Ala Moana Hotel Conference Center, sponsored by Generations Magazine and KHON2 (see schedule of events by clicking here or on pgs. 10–11 of the magazine). This will be our biggest event yet, promising a wealth of expert information and resources for seniors, caregivers, and baby boomers planning ahead for their retirement and elder years.
In June and July, we all look forward to family reunions, weddings and trips to Neighbor Islands or the Mainland. Home improvement projects, gardening and community festivals are so much fun. Please follow our contributors’ good advice to stay safe and healthy as you engage in outdoor activities. Whatever your summer plans, we wish you and your family calm seas, abundant fruits and vegetables, and many rainbows!
Every Day is Brand New!
Katherine Kama‘ema‘e Smith, Associate Editor
Correction: The conclusion of the “Do You Know IRMA” article by radio host and Medicare specialist Martha Khlopin, April/May 2015 issue, click here or on pg. 45 of the magazine, should have read “the adjustment was waived in full on appeal.”
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