HONOLULU – Family caregivers face numerous physical challenges and often have little or no preparation for their responsibilities. On Saturday June 20AARP Hawaii and the Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division are co-sponsoring a free information session for family caregivers featuring practical tips to ease the physical and emotional burden of care.

WHAT: Caregiver Workshop: 10 Ways to Increase Flexibility and Strength

WHERE: Kapiolani Community College (Ohia 118 – near the cafeteria)

HONOLULU – A new report from AARP shows there are more than 26,700 adults between the ages of 50 and 64 without health insurance in Hawaii. That’s 10.8 percent of the total number of people of that age group in the state. 

As Congress hammers out the details of health-care reform legislation before Memorial Day Recess, AARP announced six specific elements that must be part of health reform. They are:

• Guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for Americans age 50-64

• Closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole"

• Preventing avoidable re-hospitalizations and improve patient care by providing people in Medicare with a follow up care benefit to help them safely transition home after a hospital stay

• Increasing federal funding and eligibility for home- and community-based services through Medicaid, so older Americans can remain in their homes as they age and avoid more costly institutional care

• Creating access to generic versions of costly biologic drugs used to treat cancer and other serious illnesses

• Improving programs that help low income Americans in Medicare afford the health care and prescription drugs they need

More than 200,000 Social Security recipients in Hawaii can expect to receive $250 payments from the government in the next few weeks as their share of the economic stimulus package enacted in February. One of the key provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a one-time $250 economic recovery payment for Social Security recipients, people with disabilities, and veterans.

HONOLULU—Changes in vision, flexibility, and range of motion can make driving more stressful and reduce our control behind the wheel as we age. But older drivers don't necessarily have to hang up the car keys. By making basic adjustments to their vehicle, they can improve their comfort and safety on the road.

• Clear line of sight over the steering wheel – at least three inches above the wheel.
• Plenty of room between your chest and the front airbag and steering wheel.
• A seat you fit in comfortably and safely – easy access to controls.
• Properly adjusted headrests – with the center of the headrest against the back of your head, not against your neck.
• Easy access to break pedals – without having to stretch too far.
• A seatbelt that holds you in position and remains comfortable as you drive.

AARP and Shred-it Hawaii are sponsoring a free document shredding event at the State Capitol on April 25. Bring old tax forms, bank statements, and other personal papers for convenient on-site destruction. This is a drive-thru and drop-off event with unloading assistance available (limit of two boxes or bags of papers per vehicle).  The event is free and open to the public.

HONOLULU—AARP Hawaii and PHOCUSED are inviting residents of all ages to participate in a rally at the State Capitol Rotunda on April 7 (10 – 11 a.m.). The purpose of the rally is to ask legislators to ensure that the Emergency Budget and Reserve Fund (known as the Rainy Day Fund) is used to provide safety net services essential to public health and safety, public welfare and education. 

• Caregivers provide the majority of elder-care in Hawaii, and the physical, emotional and financial pressures on them are growing. At any given time there are up to 169,000 family caregivers throughout the state providing an estimated $1.45 billion per year in unpaid care. Support services enable them to care for their loved ones.
• More than one fifth (21.2 percent) of Hawaii adults aged 60 and older have incomes below 200 percent of the poverty threshold. 
• The number of Hawaii residents age 65 and older is projected to grow by 78 percent in the next two decades.
• Almost 13 percent of Hawaii’s children are being raised by grandparents—the highest percentage in the nation. Grandparents often forego their own health care needs to keep their families intact.

AARP Hawaii is asking residents to call their state legislators in support of Senate Bill 1679. The bill would appropriate money from the emergency budget and reserve fund (known as the Rainy Day Fund) to maintain services that are essential to public health and safety, public welfare and education. 

• Caregivers provide the majority of elder-care in Hawaii, and the physical, emotional and financial pressures on them are growing.  At any given time there are up to 169,000 family caregivers throughout the state providing an estimated $1.45 billion per year in unpaid care. Support services enable them to care for their loved ones.
• More than one fifth (21.2 percent) of Hawaii adults aged 60 and older have incomes below 200 percent of the poverty threshold. 
• The number of Hawaii residents age 65 and older is projected to grow by 78 percent in the next two decades.
• Almost 13 percent of Hawaii’s children are being raised by grandparents—the highest percentage in the nation. Grandparents often forego their own health care needs to keep their families intact.