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6 Tips for Long Distance Family Caregivers

Many families live long distances from one another. Caregiving from afar is more prevalent today than it has been in years. Trends in family mobility and urbanization are moving more and more adult children farther from their aging parents, making family care more difficult. If you are one of the many who don’t live near your aging parents, no need to panic. You can still be actively involved and take on a meaningful caregiving role from miles away. The following tips can be very helpful for long-distance caregivers who can't be near their loved one to provide daily care. Gather...

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The Financial Impact of Family Caregiving

Being the family caregiver for your aging parent can take a toll on your finances and your personal life. At some point in our lives, we will either need a caregiver or we will become one. Many adult children automatically become the family caregiver as parents age and need assistance around the house or with everyday tasks. When it comes to providing assistance to aging parents, many adult children are thrust into the situation unexpectedly. When this happens, it can have serious economic implications for an individual. A recent survey from AARP indicates that 38 percent of family caregivers –...

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Holiday Travel: 4 Ways to Make Flying Stress Free and Safe for Kapuna (Elders)

The holidays will be here before we know it. If your kapuna wants to travel this merry season, be sure to get them where they need to go safely and with minimal stress. Holiday travel can be hectic and stressful if it’s not properly planned with a well-organized itinerary. If you are a son or daughter in charge of caring for a senior loved one – be it your parent or grandparent, or even close family friend – there may be times that they will want to fly for vacation or to visit other relatives during the holidays. And you may...

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Hospital Stays Have Lasting Impacts on Seniors

This can be a tough time of year for seniors. Flu and cold season lead to illness, wetter weather can hamper exercise, and shorter days have a negative effect on dementia and Alzheimer’s. For whatever reason, this is the time of year when hospitalizations increase exponentially. Often times, our relationship with a family begins with a hospitalization. A loved one falls or gets sick, goes to the hospital and requires assistance around the house when they return home. Before we begin work with any client, we have a “family meeting” to get a sense for a person’s routine and abilities...

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Hawai?i Hurricane Preparedness

Hawai?i dodged a bullet with Hurricane Lane, once a Category 5 storm, being downgraded to a tropical storm. Once we were advised of the hurricane, all the Hawaiian islands felt the worry and rush to prepare for the possible impact of Hurricane Lane. It was a stressful time watching how fast nonperishable food and water began disappearing from the grocery store shelves, preparing our homes for potential wind damage and ensuring our loved ones were prepared and cared for accordingly. Preparing makes sense in times like this and it's best to get ready now for next time. Be prepared. Put...

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Caregiver Burnout in Honolulu

Because family caregiving is emotionally and physically draining, it can lead to caregiver burnout. For many, taking on the role of family caregiver is unfamiliar territory. While caring for a loved one is a worthwhile responsibility, it also can cause a significant amount of stress, exhaustion and sometimes even health issues. Because caregiving is emotionally and physically draining, it can lead to burnout and possible health issues for you – the family caregiver. There are ways to help prevent family caregiver burnout, and it begins with recognizing the warning signs. Read about some of the signs to be mindful of,...

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Should You Consider a Reverse Mortgage in Hawaii

7 questions you need to ask before considering this type of loan. A reverse mortgage is a loan that enables Hawai’i homeowners – who are generally 62 years of age or older – to use part of their home’s equity to obtain cash proceeds that can be used to pay for property taxes or insurance, home renovations, or medical and daily living expenses that help them age-in-place. This type of loan does not have to be repaid until the last surviving borrower or remaining eligible non-borrowing spouse passes away or permanently leaves the home, or if the homeowners sell the...

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What can you do when your kupuna want to stay living at home?

When your aging parents or kupuna are determined to remain living independently – even if they are declining in physical or mental abilities – what options do you have? AARP reported that nearly 90 percent of aging people would choose to reside in their own homes for as long as possible, as opposed to moving to a nursing home or independent care facility. This desire by your elderly parents to live independently is completely understandable, but it also makes it challenging for the adult child/children who are caring for them. Many adult children actually want to accommodate their aging parents’ strong desire to...

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FirstLight Home Care is Coming to Hawaii

FirstLight Home Care is Coming to Hawaii National non-medical home care provider announces plan to expand to the Honolulu area HONOLULU – April 19, 2018 – FirstLight Home Care, an award-winning provider of non-medical home care, today announced it will open an office in Honolulu, the first one for the Hawaiian Islands. The new FirstLight location is scheduled to open in July and will be owned and operated by Oahu residents, Lauri and Scott Topping. “We’ve seen a vital need here,” said Lauri Topping. “Because of the high cost of living in Hawaii, most families need dual incomes, so a...

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