Aftermath of Storm Flossie

Story and photo by Teresa Lopes.

This morning when I got to work I could hear the swishing of a palm tree against the concrete while walking from the Weinberg parking lot to the building entrance. I looked up ahead of me and saw John Kaauwai with a huge palm frond in his hands sweeping the entrance way. He was as busy as can be, and on a mission to clean up all the leaves and flowers that Tropical Depression Flossie left at the entrance. 

John said he was feeling real good this morning and he picked up the palm and swept the whole entrance way. He told me to find the housekeeper who normally sweeps outside and let her know he did it for her. Tori had come to work at 5:30am and saw all the leaves and flowers that she had to swept up after she finished cleaning the activity center. She was surprised when she went out a little after 7:00am and saw that the area was cleaned! When she saw the pictures that I took, her mystery was solved. Tori was so happy and appreciative of John's help. She said she was going to find John to thank him personally. Mahalo John!

This story illustrates several Eden Alternative Principles:

• Principle 4: An Elder-centered community creates opportunities to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness. - John not only provided care for Toni by helping to cleanup after the storm so that she didn't need to, but also for other staff, residents and visitors who use the walkway.
• 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. - John just happened to see the palm frond and thought it would be good to use to sweep aside debris from the storm.
• Principle 6: Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health. - John was feeling good this morning and wanted to help out by sweeping the building entrance.
• Principle 8: An Elder-centered community honors its Elders by de-emphasizing top-down bureaucratic authority, seeking instead to place the maximum possible decision-making authority into the hands of Elders or into the hands of those closest to them. - John chose to sweep aside the leaves and flowers himself without having to ask anyone if it was alright.

Blossoms for the Brave

On Friday May 24, Hale Makua staff members and volunteers traveled with 13 Long Term Care residents to the State of Hawaii building in Wailuku. They attended an event called Blossoms for the Brave to honor veterans. Kaunoa Senior Center organized the community to make 2,500 lei the morning of the event. Our residents brought plumeria flowers from Hale Makua’s Kahului campus and hands willing to work to the event. Two days later on Memorial Day, the lei were placed at the Makawao Veterans’ Cemetery.

This trip to Blossoms for the Brave illustrates Eden Principles #4: “An Elder-centered community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness” and #6 “Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity

Meaningful Opportunities Flower for Valentine's Day

When resident Thomas Hubble wanted to know when Valentine’s Day was, care partner Teresa Lopes knew he had a reason for asking. Mr. Hubble wanted to get a Valentine’s Day present for his wife Millie. He did not think it would be possible because he couldn’t go shopping before February 14th.

Activities staff decided to help Mr. Hubble create his own present. Care partner Jodi Horton gathered craft supplies and they created a beautiful bouquet of fabric flowers and ribbons. Mr. Hubble dictated a note to be written to his wife. The note was written on a heart and attached to the bouquet. It was meaningful for Mr. Hubble to create a present himself to give to his wife. The staff helped him find a solution that he could carry out using his own creativity. 

This story illustrates Eden Alternative Principle 4: An Elder-centered community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care, which is the antidote to helplessness, and Principle 6: Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.

A Meaningful Birthday Celebration

Resident Bud Uyenoyama recently celebrated his 97^th birthday. Knowing that Uncle Bud enjoys playing cards, care partner CNAs Dee and Faina set up a table and started a card game. They taught Uncle Bud how to play a game called Monkey Monkey. Soon care partner Jay came by to join in the fun. Then Uncle Bud’s roommate joined in the fun and was teaching the care partners how to play poker, which is Uncle Bud’s favorite card game. 

This is a great example of several Eden Alternative Principles:

• Principle 4: "An Elder-centered community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness. - Uncle Bud's roommate taught Dee, Faina and Jay how to play poker. 
• 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." - Uncle Bud's roommate and care partner Jay unexpectedly joined in the card game.
• Principle 6: "Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health." - Uncle Bud had the opportunity to do something that was meaningful. 
• Principle 8: "An Elder-centered community honors its Elders by de-emphasizing top-down bureaucratic authority, seeking instead to place the maximum possible decision-making authority into the hands of Elders or into the hands of those closest to them." - Dee and Faina knew that Uncle Bud enjoyed playing cards, and decided to celebrate his birthday by playing cards. A manager or supervisor didn't ask them to do it.

What a beautiful day

This morning as I walked to the Ilima neighborhood wanting to wish Uncle Bud Uyenoyama a happy 97^th birthday. When I got there, care partner CNAs Dee and Faina were setting up a table in front of Uncle Bud. They both sat with him to wish him a happy birthday, and knowing that he likes to play cards they started a card game. Both beautiful young ladies taught Uncle Bud how to play a game called Monkey Monkey. Soon care partner Jay came by to join in the fun. I left to print a picture for Uncle Bud, and when I got back Uncle Bud’s roommate was playing cards with all of them and was teaching them how to play poker, which is Uncle Bud’s favorite card game. 

What a beautiful morning, I couldn’t help but play a couple hands of poker myself.

This is a great example of several Eden Alternative Principles:

• Principle 6: "Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health." - Dee and Faina gave Uncle Bud the opportunity to do something that was meaningful to him. 
• Principle 4: "An Elder-centered community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness. - Uncle Bud's roommate taught Dee, Faina and Jay how to play poker. 
• 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." - Uncle Bud's roommate and care partner Jay unexpectedly joined in the card game.
• Principle 8: "An Elder-centered community honors its Elders by de-emphasizing top-down bureaucratic authority, seeking instead to place the maximum possible decision-making authority into the hands of Elders or into the hands of those closest to them." - Dee and Faina knew that Uncle Bud enjoyed playing cards, and decided to celebrate his birthday with a few hands of Monkey Monkey and poker. A manager or supervisor didn't ask them to do it.

Thank you Ilima staff you are awesome and you made my day!

- Teresa Lopes, Activities Director

Residents Highlight of Kokua for Kupuna Event

On Saturday, September 22nd, two residents, Faye Massey and Vilma Sanchez, attended our signature fundraising event, Kokua for Kupuna, to share their experiences that they’ve had while living at Hale Makua Wailuku and Kahului respectively. Their stories moved many guests to tears, and there were several individuals who commented that the speakers were the highlight of the event.

By speaking at our fundraising event, Faye and Vilma helped other individuals in our community learn about our services, their wonderful care partners, and that they still live full and active lives at Hale Makua. In this way, these residents provided care for our entire organization, which is an example of Eden Alternative Principle 4: An Elder-centered community creates opportunities to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness. It is also an example of Principle 6, which states that meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.

Simple Pleasures Learned & Fulfilled

The care partners in the West Neighborhood have committed to finding out what their Elders’ simple pleasures are. Every other week two care partners share two Elders’ simple pleasures. Care partner Ella Rosetes discovered that Beverly Kamimoto’s simple pleasure is to be woken up in the morning so that she can read a book or do word puzzles instead of sleeping.

This Eden in action moment is a reflection of Eden Alternative Principle 6, which states: Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.

In addition to care partners learning about an Elders’ simple pleasure, the care partners on West are also getting to know their Elders better, and finding out their histories. Every other week the care partners gather to share what they’ve discovered about the Elder they’ve partnered with.

Meaning Found in Simple Tasks

Lanai Neighborhood resident Dolores Villarimo, who prefers to be called Auntie Dolly, likes to keep busy and active and will often tell you “I like to work!” She recently approached CNA Rene Komoda and told her she was very bored.  Rene asked her what she would like to do, and she answered “I like to clean.”  Rene was just starting to wash tables and carts, so Auntie Dolly joined in and they accomplished the task together. When Nursing Supervisor Chris Casio walked by, she recognized Eden Alternative Principle 6 in action and took a photo. Principle 6 states that “meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.” Thanks to Rene for recognizing this need and helping Auntie Dolly add meaning to her day.

Guest post by Connie Miller, Administrator & Eden Educator