Free Workshop Focuses on Family Conversations about Long-Term Care

Family caregivers face enormous challenges and often have little or no preparation for their responsibilities. On Saturday August 15 AARP Hawaii and the Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division are co-sponsoring a free information session that explores how family dynamics can influence how we care for our parents as they get older.

WHAT: What Do We Do About Mom? An Exploration of Family Dynamics in Hawaii
WHERE: Mission Memorial Auditorium
WHEN: August 15 (9:30 – 11:30 a.m.)

Registration Recommended: Call the Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division at 768-7700.

Participants in the workshop will learn how to help older loved ones continue to live independently despite health problems or age-related concerns. It offers recommendations on how to begin a family conversation about long-term care planning, and how to navigate sensitive issues that come up. The session features an interactive presentation by Michael Cheang, assistant professor of family and consumer services at the University of Hawaii.

The contributions of family caregivers—relatives, partners, friends and neighbors—are the heart and soul of Hawaii’s long-term care system. Unpaid caregivers provide the majority of care services for persons with disabilities of all ages and are critical to helping people stay in their homes rather than more costly institutions. On any given day there are up to 169,000 caregivers in Hawaii. Cumulatively, they provide an estimated $1.45 billion each year in unpaid care.

Given our rapidly aging population, the challenges facing Hawaii caregivers are especially daunting. The number of people age 65 and older is expected to grow by 78 percent over the next 20 years as the boomers pass into retirement. The 50-64 population—the age range of many family caregivers—will shrink by 10 percent over the same period.