Everybody Pitches In

 

National Nursing Home Week gave Hale Makua a chance to show off their teamwork skills with this year’s theme: “Everybody Pitches In.” Staff, volunteers, and residents all work together at Hale Makua as care partners. In Kahului, they demonstrated team spirit by dressing up in different colors each day of the week and by participating in activities.

The Kahului Activities team organized a Sports Day where staff and residents teamed up to compete in stacking cups, twirling streamers, and tossing rings onto Coke bottles. In the photo above, Day Health client Charles Kaeha rips pages from a magazine while his team members cheer him on. In the photos below, resident and professional Japanese karaoke singer Mitsonubu Kawahara sings “Yama”, and resident Winona Nunes sings “Hawaii Aloha” along with staff. These moments illustrate Eden Principle #4: “An Elder-centered community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness.”

 

National Nursing Home Week is celebrated in the month of May, and recognizes residents in long term and post-acute care settings, the dedicated staff who care for them, and the value of care planning where everyone "pitches in" for optimal outcomes. The observance is an opportunity to involve families, community members, youth, and others in a community-wide show of support and respect for these individuals and the staff who provide care or support services. 

This year’s theme was “Team Care: Everyone Pitches In!” Today’s skilled nursing care facilities (a.k.a. “nursing homes) encourage resident and family involvement in designing a personalized, resident-centered care plan: a program of medical, therapy, nutrition and social activities. Participation in care is the best way to ensure residents and families are satisfied with the quality of care that they receive.

Undersea Encounters

On Wednesday April 24, Hale Makua residents had the opportunity to visit the Maui Ocean Center. The Center is one of the most visited attractions in Hawaii and it showcases Hawaii’s unique marine life and culture. Accompanied by Kahului Activities staff and volunteers, residents saw fish, sharks and sea turtles during their tour. They were even able to touch some of the sea life in the outdoor tanks! In the photo, residents pose in front of an outdoor fountain. 

This story illustrates Eden Principle #5: “An Elder-centered community imbues daily life with variety and spontaneity by creating an environment in which unexpected and unpredictable interactions and happenings can take place. This is the antidote to boredom.”

Furry Feline has Taken Residence in Wailuku

Keoki, also known as George or Jorge, is a recent addition to Hale Makua Wailuku’s community. He is a large white cat who chose to adopt the nursing office as his home. Staff and residents have found Keoki to be very friendly; he loves being held and petted. In the photo resident Midori Hayashido holds him while sending a shaka sign to the camera. Midori broke into a smile as soon as she saw Keoki and reached to hold him. 

This story illustrates Eden Principle #2: “An Elder-centered community commits to creating a human habitat where life revolves around close and continuing contact with plants, animals, and children. It is these relationships that  provide the young and old alike with a pathway to a life worth living.”

Hunting for Fun

On Saturday March 23, North Neighborhood at Hale Makua Kahului held an Easter Egg Hunt. Residents, staff, family, and children gathered in the central courtyard of North Neighborhood to celebrate together. Residents were delighted to meet the children and help them search for bright plastic eggs. All the attendees enjoyed the beautiful weather and the chance to spend time with family and friends in such a beautiful setting.

In the photo, North Neighborhood Supervisor Zaira Katsuda, her husband, and two sons start the hunt for Easter Eggs.

The Easter Egg Hunt illustrates Eden Principle #2: “An Elder-centered community commits to creating a human habitat where life revolves around close and continuing contact with plants, animals, and children. It is these relationships that provide the young and old alike with a pathway to a life worth living.”

Singing Out Loud

Michie Shigetani is a resident at Hale Makua Wailuku and she’s quickly become popular due to  a special skill she has. Mrs. Shigetani is a trained opera singer. She loves to entertain and in the photo she is singing for other residents in an after dinner performance. Visitor Florence often drops by to accompany her on the piano.

Mrs. Shigetani’s singing illustrates Eden Principle #6: “Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.” Mrs. Shigetani and Florence find meaning in performing for others. 

Founder of Maui Mental Health Clebrates 94th Birthday

On March 2nd, Marcella Corell celebrated her 94th birthday and a big group of people came to Hale Makua to celebrate her amazing life. The party was attended by family, friends and mental health advocates from Maui Mental Health America of Hawaii.

In 1972, Marcella started the Maui branch of the Mental Health Association (now known as Maui Mental Health America of Hawaii). MHA works to “help to prevent mental illness, to promote mental health, to assist in improving care and treatment for persons suffering with emotional problems, as well as working to dispel the myths and stigma surrounding their diseases.”

Ms. Corell worked in the mental health field for over 40 years and was a constant advocate for the cause. Currently, she is a resident at Hale Makua Kahului’s North Neighborhood. In the photo, she is taking a piece of cake from her long time friend Mare Langlois. 

By visiting Hale Makua, Ms. Corell’s family and friends helped create an Elder-centered community, illustrating Eden Principle #2 “An Elder-centered community commits to creating a human habitat where life revolves around close and continuing contact with plants, animals, and children. It is these relationships that  provide the young and old alike with a pathway to a life worth living.”