OUR LUANA JOURNEY

Eden Alternative Tip of the Week: New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-09T12:07:00.000-10:00

Where would we be if we never set goals and went about trying to accomplish them? Our growth would definitely be stunted, if we didn't strive to better and grow ourselves throughout our lives. This is what Eden Alternative Principle Nine is all about: “Creating an Elder-centered community is a never-ending process. Human growth must never be separated from human life.” Here is some food for thought, as your team plots out goals for its 2012 Eden Alternative journey.

Top ten list of personal News Year's resolutions from the internet:

Spend more time with family and friends
Fit in fitness
Tame the bulge
Quit smoking
Enjoy life more
Quit drinking
Get out of debt
Learn something new
Help others
Get organized

Did you know that:

25% of New Year's resolutions will be abandoned in the first 15 weeks of the year?
A New Year's resolution is repeated, on average, 10 times?
According to a Seattle study, 67% of people make 3 or more resolutions each year?
40% of people are successful at achieving their top resolution on the first try?
Those who are able to stick to their resolution for 6 months or longer have attempted that change 5-6 times before succeeding?

How can you improve your rate of success?

Set appropriate goals
Do not set your expectations too high – you can always raise the bar next year
Do not overload yourself by taking on too many resolutions (goals) at one time
Share your resolutions with others – we can increase our success rate, if others know what we are working on and stand ready to support us
Focus on setting small goals toward success and reward yourself along the way

Make 2012 a year of great resolutions, goals and successes!

Congratulations Charlene Kuhia and Edna Hedani!

2011-12-23T12:47:00.000-10:00

The Nutrition Services team recognized Charlene Kuhia for 35 years of service, and Edna Hedani for 20 years of service! Congratulations ladies, and thank you for your dedication!

Marilyn Marcelino Recognized for 20 Yers of Service

2011-12-20T15:17:00.000-10:00

Congratulations to Marilyn Marcelino who was recognized for an amazing 20 years of service! She's pictured above in the Santa hat with the Kahului Environmental Services team.

Congressional Gold Medal of Honor Received

2011-12-20T15:11:00.000-10:00

Congratulations to Adult Day Health client, Harold Kishaba, who was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor for his service during World War II with the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Services!

Senior Winter Ball

2011-12-16T14:24:00.000-10:00

On Friday, December 2nd St. Anthony’s high school students hosted the Winter Ball at Hale Makua Wailuku. The area under the umbrellas was all decked out for the Las Vegas theme. The ladies got their hair, make up and nails done by the students. Santa even made an appearance after the games were done, and passed out presents for all!

Charlotte Keegan ready for the ball!

The students did a wonderful job decorating our outdoor area!

Santa is pictured here with Henry Kaina.

Men at Work

2011-12-15T16:48:00.000-10:00

Today the Men's Club at Hale Makua Kahului gathered to assemble and begin painting their woodcraft project - wooden trucks that double as a bank for coins. Stay tuned for more Mens' Club photos and painted trucks.

Children Bring the Joy of Christmas

2011-12-09T14:38:00.000-10:00

Montessori School of Maui students sharing the holiday cheer with our residents!

Resident Plant Expert

2011-12-05T12:09:00.000-10:00

Hale Makua is fortunate to have an in-house plant expert. Bob Sanders used to own a nursery in Hana and has now brought his knowledge of plants and exquisite eye for plant composition to Hale Makua. He spends his time putting together elegant air plant arrangements that are later sold. These arrangements are so popular that even the ones that he is currently making are already accounted for. We're very fortunate to have Bob here where we can watch his talents at work creating something simply and naturally beautiful.

Hale Makua Wailuku Enhances Resident Dining Experience

2011-12-02T15:07:00.000-10:00

In a continuing effort to improve the dining experience at Hale Makua Wailuku, residents who choose to eat in the dining room can now enjoy restaurant-style buffet dining. Meal orders are taken, and selections are served up hot from the buffet table. Residents are also offered alternative entrees just in case they prefer eating something that’s not on the buffet line. Meals are served just as they would be in a restaurant, which also means no more trays!

Here’s what some of the residents are saying about the food and the new dining style:

Dolores Villarimo (Aunty Dolly): I like it. I’d rather have that than when they bring in all the food. I’d rather they ask me so I can choose what I want to eat. Everybody’s different you know. And I don’t like to eat so much food. I like my vegetables and my Jell-O. And I like all the workers, they’re all nice.

Eileen Kailihou: It’s good and I like the food there. It’s very tasty and I like the people there. They’re very nice.

Sarah Takatani: I think it’s better than the trays. They give me whatever I ask if they have it. I like that they take my order. I think it’s real good.

Alan Camara: It’s nice now, the way the buffet is made, everything comes up hot. What we order comes to us fast. We can order hamburgers or hotdogs and dessert. And we can have things on the side if we want.

A FaBOOless Halloween

2011-12-02T14:55:00.000-10:00

At Hale Makua Wailuku Lynsey and Peter Kaina (pictured above) dressed as bacon and eggs for the Halloween contest. Contest judge Asha Piekarz picked from a bunch of creative and spook-tacular costumes. Among the winners were Peter Kaina, Ricky Totoki, and Charlotte Keegan.

A Spook-tacular Costume Contest

2011-12-02T14:19:00.000-10:00

Hale Makua Kahului residents, staff and children participated in a costume contest on Halloween. Clockwise from top, left: Gloria Destifano dressed up as a clown, Wally Oshiro was a gangster, Shigeko Nemoto donned a beautiful kimono as a geisha, costume contest winner, Marie Olsen, dressed up as a hunchback, masked Vilma Sanchez was a very scary werewolf, and Helen Olivera was a very convincing police officer.

A Special Visit by the Japanese Consulate

2011-11-30T14:29:00.000-10:00

Mrs. Tamori was presented with a document from the Japanese Consulate, recognizing her 100th birthday. Also present to commemorate this significant milestone were Mrs. Tamori's son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Veterans' Day Celebration

2011-11-22T09:23:00.000-10:00

The ladies and girls of Hula Halau Na Pua O Kapiolani perform for the residents of Hale Makua Kahului in honor of Veterans' Day.

We LOVE Our Student Volunteers

2011-11-18T16:07:00.000-10:00

We have some truly amazing volunteers. Many of our volunteers come from nearby schools. These students helped residents of the West Neighborhood make festive decorations for the holidays.

We've Started a Men's Club

2011-11-17T14:24:00.000-10:00

Hale Makua Kahului now has a club just for the guys! The club meets once a month to get together to work on projects and talk about what kinds of things they'd like to do in the future. Initially the club started with the idea of giving male residents a place to get together and work with they hands on woodwork types of projects.

Maintenance & Engineering Director, Mark Souza, is currently heading up the Mean's Club. They're working on table top projects that could be sold at craft fairs. They've talked about having barbecues, watching sports events, and going fishing. But their dream would be to go to Vegas!

The Men's Club is open to anyone, and future meetings will be posted on the Hale Makua Kahului Activities Calendar.

Residents Help Sew Cart Covers

2011-11-17T14:09:00.000-10:00

From left Nancy puts up a fabric panel; Vilma gets the fabric ready; and Juanita jokes around with Bety

Hale Makua Kahului residents help Activities Assistant Bety put on beautiful, handmade fabric covers for our continental breakfast carts. Lovely Hawaiian prints now adorn our carts as they roll out every morning for Continental breakfast in each neighborhood.

A Celebration of Aloha

2011-11-01T16:00:00.001-10:00

Residents enjoyed song and dance during Hale Makua Kahului's Aloha Week program.

Reaffirming Our Commitment to Quality of Care and Life

2011-11-01T11:37:00.000-10:00

We have recently renewed our membership on The Eden Alternative^® Registry, reaffirming our commitment to improving the quality of care and quality of life for the people who live and work here. Our 50 Certified Eden Associates continue to educate those connected with their home about person-directed care, based on the Ten Principles of The Eden Alternative. As we deepen our understanding of these concepts, the residents and those closest to them are being honored, respected and are growing as individuals, thus transforming how care is provided for the over 300 people who live at Hale Makua.

As a member of the Registry, we joinThe Eden Alternative as a leader in the “culture change” movement in long-term care. "Culture change" is the common name for a global initiative focused on transforming care, as we know it, for residents and individuals living with disabilities. It advocates for a shift from institutional models of care to person-directed values and practices that put the person first. Weconsistently demonstrates the core person-directed values of choice, dignity, respect, self-determination and purposeful living.

"Here at Hale Makua Health Services, we have reaffirmed our status as an Eden Registered Home, and our team remains committed to creating a warm, loving home using the principles and practices of The Eden Alternative," said Connie Miller, Hale Makua Wailuku Administrator. Since becoming an Eden Registered Home in 2009, Hale Makua Health Services has made many changes to create a life worth living for our residents free from the three plagues of loneliness, helplessness, and boredom. “We are all benefitting from our partnership with The Eden Alternative as we transform Hale Makua Health Services into a resident-centered community, where the residents and the staff, who work with them as care partners, grow and thrive together. The well-being of the residents and their care partners continues to improve, as we move forward and put the Eden Philosophy to work."

Research shows that improving working conditions and the quality of work-life in long-term care environments is vital. When direct care providers are nurtured, cared for, and respected, they provide better quality of care for residents. Improving the way we, as a society, provide long-term care will have a significant impact on many millions of Americans as the population ages and begins to rely more on the support of others to meet basic daily needs.

Pumpkin Preparations

2011-11-01T10:58:00.002-10:00

Residents create festive Halloween pumpkins to decorate our community.

Creating a Warm, Unique Living Environment

2011-10-21T11:00:00.000-10:00

We were thrilled that Mrs. Tanaka’s family joined in on the fun of making her room unique to her by decorating her window with a tree that represents her at the center of the team, and flowers all around with the names of the staff who care for her.

New Dining Practice Standards Finalized

2011-10-19T13:46:00.000-10:00

10/18/2011 Provider Magazine

Patrick Connole

The Pioneer Network has finalized new Dining Practice Standards, agreed to by 12 national clinical standard-setting organizations, for supporting individualized care and self-directed living versus traditional diagnosis-focused treatment for people living in nursing facilities, the group said on Monday.

The document includes the following new standards: Individualized Nutrition Approaches/Diet Liberalization; Individualized Diabetic/Calorie Controlled Diet; Individualized Low Sodium Diet; Individualized Cardiac Diet; Individualized Altered Consistency Diet; Individualized Tube Feeding; Individualized Real Food First; Individualized Honoring Choices; Shifting Traditional Professional Control to Individualized Support of Self Directed Living; and New Negative Outcome.

“The importance of these new agreed-upon clinical standards cannot be overstated as food and dining are an integral part of individualized care and self-directed living for people living in nursing homes,” the Pioneer Network said.

The organization will submit the new standards to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the long term care community at large.

It is anticipated that CMS will refer to the new standards of practice within long term care interpretive guidance where they fit as the agency usually refers to the current standards of practice set by the clinicians who work within the long term care field.

According to the Pioneer Network, food and dining are an integral part of individualized care and self-directed living for several reasons, including the complexity of food and dining requirements when advancing models of culture change, the importance of food and dining as a significant element of daily living, and because the most frequent questions and concerns CMS receives from regulators and providers consistently focus on dining and food policies in nursing homes.

“Therefore, we believe this area is one most in need of national dialogue if we are to improve quality of life for persons living in nursing homes while maintaining safety and quality of care,” the group said.

The recommendations were acted on in conjunction with funding from the Rothschild Foundation to the Pioneer Network in 2011, which allowed formation of the organization’s Food and Dining Clinical Standards Task Force. The task force is comprised of symposium experts, representatives from CMS’ Division of Nursing Homes, FDA, and CDC as well as national standard setting groups.
Download the new standards HERE.

Recreating a Simple Pleasure

2011-10-19T08:54:00.000-10:00

The Nursing Office decided to recreate a simple pleasure for Marieta Yalon, who lives in the Lanai Neighborhood. She identified one of her pleasures in life to be making a favorite Filipino dessert called Tambo Tambo. In this picture, Nana Yalon teaches Mona Ordono, UR Assistant, and Chris Casio, Nursing Supervisor, how to make the dessert.

Unique Reisdent Room Sparks Conversation

2011-10-18T14:23:00.000-10:00

Annie Quitan used to love to travel, so the Lanai Day Shift team decorated her window to reflect that. Now others see the pictures and stop to ask her about her travels. Annie and her son, Vic say they are really happy with the display.

Hale Makua Wailuku Starts New Luana Project

2011-10-18T14:17:00.000-10:00

At Hale Makua Wailuku, teams selected one of three Luana projects to implement. The projects are based on Eden principles and philosophies, and come from the Seed Packets book.

One option was to create a spontaneous moment in the life of a resident, because boredom occurs when our lives lack variety and spontaneity.
A second choice was to make a change in the resident’s room to make it unique to him or her, because humans weren’t meant to live in a cold, sterile environment.
The third project was to recreate a simple pleasure from the resident’s life before Hale Makua, because the opportunity to do things we find meaningful is essential to human health.

The next series of posts will feature care partners implementing these Luana projects.

George Rides in Style to the Maui Fair

2011-10-04T16:16:00.000-10:00

One of our dedicated volunteers, Ron Rawson, approached Activities Director Teresa Lopes after he found out that resident George Ishii would be his partner at the fair. He said he would love to drive George to the fair in his sports car with the roof down. Teresa knew that George would get a kick out of that. The only glitch was that Ron could not fit Georges wheel chair into his car. Maintenance & Engineering Director Mark Souza graciously said he would follow Ron and George to the Fair with the wheelchair in a Hale Makua truck. George had a blast with the wind blowing through his hair!

Barbara Visits Her Home Garden

2011-10-03T10:41:00.000-10:00

Above are pictures of Barbara Silva in her yard in Makawao. Barbara came to Hale Makua in November 2010, one day she was telling our Activities Director Teresa Lopes about the day she fell in her living room at home and was taken to MMMC and then to Hale Makua. She shared that since that day she has never gone home and more then anything she would love to just go to Makawao and be able to see her home. Well her wish came true Activities Assistant Jade and Teresa escorted her to her home. That day Barbara brought back four rose plants to put in the Pikake neighborhood garden that she tends to.

Eden Alternative Tip of the Week: Things Great Leaders Do

2011-09-02T12:24:00.000-10:00

Maintain your warmth and sense of humor, especially during a crisis. You can maintain your professionalism and still adopt a warm, lighter style of interaction with people.

Tell people when they are blowing it. Be genuine about what you see happening. This builds transparency and helps others to open their eyes and achieve a new perspective.

Be the leader AND conduct yourself like a care partner. The most admired leaders are those who are genuinely humble.

Let your guard down and really be yourself. To build a cohesive team, enjoy a meal with others, relax, let your guard down, and be a regular human being. With a little practice, relating to your team in this way will become second nature.

Make bets on people you believe in. Constantly challenge individuals and help them to think of new ideas to grow the organization and themselves. A leader that believes in their team is able to stand behind them, even when it’s not entirely clear what their goals are.

Balance your care partner’s weaknesses. If you have care partners that are more task-driven, push them to see the bigger picture. Eventually, they will appreciate that it will help them be more effective and be an even stronger asset to the team.

Compliment your care partner’s strengths. Take the time to point out your care partners’ strengths. If they are not aware of them, this may help them see themselves in a new light.

Share the toughest, most agonizing lessons you’ve ever learned. Being vulnerable not only builds trust, but helps others make wise choices along the way.

Do the right thing. Show – don’t tell. Trust others to do the right thing.

Do what has to be done, no matter what. A great leader will find success.

Award boost for ‘steersman’ trying to ride out storm

2011-08-30T09:47:00.000-10:00

Hale Makua’s CEO: Going to take hard work to come back from financial cuts

Our CEO Tony Krieg (right) pictured with Board Chair Roy Sakamoto

August 30, 2011

By MELISSA TANJI - Staff Writer (mtanji@mauinews.com) , The Maui News

Before accepting a $10,000 leadership award Monday, the chief executive officer of Hale Makua Health Services described himself as the organization's "steersman" in "rough seas" generated by cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, the financial lifeblood of his nonprofit agency that provides nursing home care and other services on Maui.

"I would say this is the darkest and most challenging time I have ever seen in terms of funding and resources to care for an exploding frail and elderly population," said Tony Krieg, who has been at Hale Makua for three decades.

Because of the cuts, competition and other factors, Hale Makua has 60 empty beds at its nursing homes in Kahului and Wailuku. He said it's going to take hard work, extra direction and steering in the next three to five years to ride out this storm.

On Monday, Krieg received a boost as he tries to steer Hale Makua into better times. He was presented with a 2011 Ho'okele Award at a ceremony on Oahu. The award was established in 2002 by the Hawai'i Community Foundation and the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation and aims to recognize and strengthen the leadership in the state's nonprofit sector.

Receiving awards with Krieg were Lea Hong, Hawaiian Islands program director for The Trust for Public Land; Robert G. Peters, head of school of Hanahau'oli School; and Leslie Wilcox, president and CEO of PBS Hawai'i.

Award recipients each receive $10,000 to be used for their professional development and personal renewal. Over the past 10 years, $420,000 has been presented to 42 recipients.
"We recognized that Hawaii was in danger of losing incredible executive talent in the nonprofit sector in part because many executives had little opportunity to renew themselves and marshal the stamina to continue their demanding work," said Kelvin Taketa, president and CEO of the Hawai'i Community Foundation. "The Ho'okele Award (which means navigator or steersman in Hawaiian) allows us to recognize, thank and reward our community's truly selfless leaders."
"I really appreciate and will take advantage of this award," Krieg said. "I'm not sure what exactly I'm going to do. Maybe take a trip with a friend and taking photographs in a couple of national parks for a couple of weeks to give me some space to reflect on the challenges ahead."

"I wish I could extend the same thing for our staff," he continued. "We work 24 hours, seven days a week for people, (that) otherwise their family can't take care of."

Krieg joined Hale Makua Health Services in 1981 and was named CEO in 1986. He oversees more than 500 employees in four programs that provide nursing home care, social work, foster care management and rehabilitation services on Maui.

His work also extends to the state's long-term plan to research, create and execute goals for Hawaii's growing frail and disabled population as part of the Hawai'i Long Term Care Commission.

At Hale Makua, Krieg said that 85 percent of its clientele are covered by Medicare or Medicaid and that cuts to those programs really hurt his agency. Since August, there has been a 3 percent cut in Medicaid payments, and in October, there will be an 11 percent reduction in Medicare payments, he said.

He added that the state's decision to privatize the Medicaid program for the aged, blind and disabled also has hurt his agency. Managed care insurance companies look for other ways to keep people out of nursing homes like Hale Makua, which can cost more compared to other alternatives, he said.

This loss of revenue led to five layoffs at Hale Makua this past year. If more cuts come, there may be more who may lose their jobs - which Krieg does not want to happen.

Through these difficult times and all these years, Krieg has stayed with Hale Makua and been driven by a desire to help those for whom their families can no longer care. He recalled an elderly woman many years ago, his girlfriend's grandmother, whom he enjoyed seeing. The grandmother ended up in a nursing home, and "it was a real sad thing," he said.

As the director of a large nursing home, he remembers that grandmother and tries to do right by her.

Krieg said that although the award is "for the guy that is steering the ship," it's his staff, board, committee members and the community who have made Hale Makua successful.

"It's been a community effort, and with the community's help, we'll get through this," he said.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.

2011-08-25T13:02:00.000-10:00

Resident Dolly Villarimo (pictured above) loves gardening and takes pride in the work she does for our gardens at Hale Makua Wailuku. She shared with Activities Director Lynsey Capone, that years ago Tiger Woods stopped at her house on Maui to take pictures of her beautiful garden that she worked so hard on!

Making Hand Made Cards

2011-08-25T09:41:00.001-10:00

This week neighbors and care partners gathered at Hale Makua Wailuku on the Lanai Neighborhood for a card making class. Activities Assistant Donna Gamurot showed residents how to use different kinds of stamps and colors to make beautiful greeting cards to give to their loved ones, friends, and care partners.

Pictured above from left is Julita Kaiama, Sozima Medeiros, Donna Gamurot, Francis Kirby, Marieta Yalon, Rosalie Alcon, and Trisha Gonsalves

Eden Alternative Tip of the Week: LifeBio's Seven Tips for Intergenerational Experiences

2011-08-22T08:57:00.000-10:00

It's back to school season, and it is important to create a clear strategy to ensure that youth and Elders come together more and that the experience touches and transforms people's lives in a powerful way.

Here are seven tips for success:

1. Keep the experience short & simple (at least at first).

2. Make interaction really meaningful for everyone.

3. See everyone as a volunteer.

4. Use technology if possible.

5. Involve the parents of youth too.

6. Involve the families of older adults too.

7. Keep the momentum going and make it FUN!

Cooking with Dr. Laura Ellis

2011-08-19T15:59:00.000-10:00

Dr. Ellis rolls out her pasta

Our doctor, Laura Ellis, volunteer to be a guest chef at Hale Makua Kahului and cooked up some homemade pasta with Alfredo sauce, and spinach raviolis for residents to enjoy. Yum!

Juanita hams it up for the camera

Gone Bowling

2011-08-19T15:52:00.000-10:00

Residents at Hale Makua Kahului enjoy an afternoon of on-site bowling courtesy of the Activities team, who setup a "bowling alley" in the Aloha Cafe.

Making Pickled Mango

2011-08-19T15:50:00.000-10:00

Adult Day Health client, Marion Watanabe, helps make pickled mango to raise funds for Hale Makua Health Services' participation in the Visitor Industry Charity Walk.

Highlights from Our Eden Alternative Reregistration Interview

2011-08-19T15:28:00.002-10:00

In order to retain our status as an Eden Alternative Registered Home, we had to submit several letters from residents, family members and care partners in support of our Luana Journey, and take part in an interview with Eden Alternative Community Builder, Denise Hyde, and Eden Registry & Community Liaison, Suzette Molina. Several care partners from Hale Makua Kahului and Wailuku participated in the interview, in addition to two residents: Alan Camora and Laura Waiohu. One of the questions that we were asked was "What are you excited about?". There were so many wonderful things that we're currently doing that I wanted to share them here:

At Hale Makua Wailuku's Eden Alternative Path to Mastery Milestone 1 celebration, a vote was taken to see what types of things residents, families and care partners would like to focus on in the future, and the one with the most votes was memorializing residents. A team of residents and care partners came together to brainstorm, and what the residents came up with was that they would like to know when one of their neighbors has passed and the way that they would like to be informed was by an overhead paging announcement to be made, asking for a moment of silence in remembrance of the person who passed. The residents also wanted to create a Memorial Bulletin Board where letters, photos, etc. could be posted in memory of residents.
Hale Makua Wailuku's Dining Committee, consisting of residents and care partners, is currently creating a new buffet-like dining process where food temperatures are better maintained, since all meals must be transported from Hale Makua Kahului.
A gardening club has started at Hale Makua Wailuku, where residents are growing a wide array of vegetables, including cauliflower, broccoli, beans, beats, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and herbs. The residents choose whether they want to eat the vegetables or sell them so that they can buy more seeds for their garden.
At Hale Makua Kahului a resident who used to grow roses at home now grows her own roses in her Pikake Neighborhood and shares them with her neighbors.
Another resident from the East Neighborhood is growing eggplant in the neighborhood garden and shares them with the care partners, who in turn sometimes make a dish with the eggplant and bring it in to share with him.
There's a Mens' Club starting at Hale Makua Kahului where Mark Souza, our Director of Maintenance & Engineering, is working with interested male residents to work with tools on projects of their choice.
On the Ilima Neighborhood, a resident's family member has brought in a bird and is caring for it. Residents in this Neighborhood have also asked for a two person swing to be hung outside so that they can sit and talk story with family members or care partners while enjoying being outside.
The Resident Council at Hale Makua Kahului has met with a veterinarian to talk about how a dog might potentially be trained to live at Hale Makua. They are interested in having a dog around permanently, but have reservations about how it would work and who would care for the pet.
Hale Makua Kahului celebrated achieving the Path to Mastery Milestone 1 by hosting a Luana Carnival for residents, families and care partners. Each neighborhood and department team highlighted one of the Ten Eden Alternative Principles and featured a fun game. Residents selected the type of games that would be played at the Carnival and mailed out the invitations to their family members.
Both homes are working toward shared dining and creating opportunities for care partners and residents to dine together. So far learning circles have been held to gather feedback and input.
The Nursing team in Wailuku has begun including the Eden Alternative concepts in interview questions for new nursing care partners, and has also included a resident in the new hire interview process.
One care partner at Hale Makua Wailuku asked the residents in her neighborhood who they would like to replace her while she was on extended leave.
Administrator, Connie Miller, and Activities Director, Lynsey Capone, are going to become Certified Eden Associate trainers this Fall so that they can come back and begin training additional care partners.
Connie is also taking ideas from the book "Seed Packets" and putting them into action.
A resident a Hale Makua Kahului has volunteered to take over feeding the koi and fishes in the community fish pond.
Residents in Wailuku are starting up a music group again.
The care partners in Kahului Activities have each selected one resident that they are getting to know better outside of their regular work duties.
Residents have often complained about how loud the gas powered lawn mower can be, so now we use a battery powered one.

Residents Help with Luau Preparations

2011-08-11T16:31:00.000-10:00

Residents cutting the fabric and pinning together the pieces to form a bag

Some of the residents at Hale Makua Kahului helped us prepare for our annual Ohana Luau fundraiser by sewing beautiful fabric bags for sponsor table gifts. This reflects Eden Alternative Principle #4 - a community with opportunities to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness.

Jerry strings a ribbon through the top of a bag

Vilma shows off her work in progress

Mitsue cuts the fabric to form the bag

Resident Takes Over Caring for Our Fishes

2011-08-11T16:12:00.000-10:00

Hale Makua Kahului Resident Harold Rawson feeds our koi and fishes. He's taken over this responsibility from our Admissions Office care partners.

Eden Alternative Tip of the Week: Embraching Change with Humor

2011-08-08T13:00:00.000-10:00

St. John's Home in Rochester, NY is pursuing a radically new organizational model and our neighborhood teams still struggle with artifacts from the old model of care. During a recent gathering of our Neighborhood Team Guides, the group sought closure on the past few years and began to look ahead to the process of changing roles.

Change can be difficult to promote, as we have to encourage new approaches, while not dishonoring people for their past work. There was much concern about striking the right balance, and one of the team members, Mimi DeVinney, came up with a clever and fun way to do this. She constructed a "Mad-Lib". Each team got the list of word types they needed to come up with (e.g., adjective, verb, positive emotion, negative emotion, co-worker, regulation, etc.). After each team made their list, they were given the text to plug the words into and read back their result to the large group. The text was "A Eulogy for the Institution." The eulogy had both positive and negative associations, as in real life, and the mad-lib style made it light and humorous for all.

Here's how it works...

“We've come here today in memory of The Institution. The Institution was our (1 - relationship). It was a (2 - positive adjective) Institution, a (3 - negative adjective) Institution, and above all, a (4 - past tense strong feeling) Institution.

Institution lived a good life. It existed for (5 - long period of time), and it dreamt of becoming (6 - legendary place). It survived many (7 - emergency code at the home), and overcame (8 - unpleasant situation at the home). Those who knew it, know that its (9 - negative association with a nursing home) kept it from achieving all its dreams, but that didn't stop it from building a reputation for (10 - positive association with a nursing home).

Reputation wasn't the defining element of The Institution. It's real heart was its staff. Looking at this group of (11 - word for workers), this is evident. I see (12 - person in the room) and (13 - person in the room) here today, each of whom made The Institution very (14 - positive feeling). I see members of (15 - department at the home) here, whom Institution loved since their day of hire. I've heard stories of (16 - task at the home) at (17 - a place in the nursing home), long nights of (18 - task at the home), fond memories of eating (19 - favorite food at the home) and days spent playing (20 - game played at the home). I've heard stories of the sacrifices made for the Institution, going without (21 - necessity of life), so The Institution could have (22 - tradition at the home), and comply with (23 - nursing home regulation).

I think it will make it easier to say goodbye, knowing how much Institution was (24 - opinion of another) and how it was (25 - past tense feeling) in its lifetime. Institution lived a good life and may (26 - a higher power) bless it. Amen.”

(Ad lib activity created by Mimi DeVinney, care partner from St. John's in Rochester, NY.)

Resident Letter of Support for Luana

2011-08-08T12:57:00.000-10:00

Dear Sirs,

Just a note to say ‘thank you’ for the good care I receive as a resident here at Hale Makua Kahului in the Pikake Neighborhood. And while it’s true that my 1st choice would be to live at home, I know that the care I receive here is the best I could ask for. The openness to come and go safely and be able to join any activities I care to, or to play my harmonica where I like (of course with consideration for others) helps me make the best of my time here at Hale Makua. Thank you for Luana benefits, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a care home in my 96 years quite as good as this one is.

Sincerely,

Harold Rawson

Resident Ignacia Quiray Celebrates 100th Birthday.

2011-08-03T16:43:00.000-10:00

Ignacia with her daughter and four sons

Over 50 family members gathered together on July 15, 201,1 to throw a party for resident Ignacia Quiray who celebrated her 100th birthday a Hale Makua Kahului.

Residents Enjoy a Concert by Founding Member of Kapena

2011-08-01T09:50:00.001-10:00

Tivaini “Tiva” Tatofi (center), a founding member of Kapena, offered a free concert for Hale Makua residents July 23 in Wailuku. He performed with brother Sione (back row, from left), son Joshua, niece Litea and daughters Vika and Naite. Hale Makua residents Dolly Villarimo (from row, from left), Sarah Takatani and Tiva’s uncle, Faaoso Talanoa, enjoyed the music and dance.

Luana Moment Shared

2011-07-28T12:40:00.001-10:00

Activities Director, Teresa Lopes, shares how one resident provided care and brightened her day...

On Friday afternoon when we were cleaning up I asked my staff to just toss all the carnival games and extra prizes in my office, so this morning I knew I was going to walk into a very messy office. When I got here there was a bag hanging on my door knob with a small box of candy and a card from one of our residents on the Ilima neighborhood. He wrote a very special card wishing me a Happy Birthday and Thank you for Friday’s event, but the most special part of his card was what he wrote on the envelope which I would like to share with all of you.

“God Bless”

Hale Makua

Home that I Love

Stand beside her and Guide her

Thru the night with the lights from Above.

Family Member Letter of Gratitude

2011-07-28T11:40:00.000-10:00

To Whom It May Concern,

As the family of Harold Rawson – my Dad and a resident in the Pikake Neighborhood ---my wife and I, and my sister Linda (from Costa Rica, but who visits regularly) would like to extend our deep thanks to all the staff at Hale Makua….from the nurses, CNA’s, social services staff, administrations people, to the food prep, and Aloha Café workers, the yard and maintenance and all the great cleaning staff, the Doctors, transporters, supervisors, therapists (yes, even the volunteer help) and anyone I may have inadvertently overlooked: You are all the best. Your concern and commitment to making Hale Makua Kahului the best it could possibly be is evident from day-to-day and in every neighborhood and in the attitude of every worker.

It’s hard to walk away from my Dad and leave him behind as I visit him, but knowing the care that will be given and the love shown him after our visits are pau, make the leaving easier. It’s true for us, and for my Dad too. He has never….not even once in the nearly 2 years that he has been a resident….ever had a nasty or negative comment about those who attend to him. Quite a testament to the good folks at Hale Makua and the love they share amongst themselves and the folks the care for.

So, please accept our thanks and rest assured of our continued support for the facility and its staff as we all work together to implement even deeper on an ongoing basis the principles that are embodied in the Eden journey that we know as Luana.

Very Sincerely,

Ron & Izzy Rawson and Linda Lamers

Eden Alternative Tip of the Week: Practice the Art of Being

2011-07-27T14:30:00.000-10:00

Summer provides us with many opportunities to reflect on what it means to simply "BE." The art of creating a caring community relies on our ability to embrace the moment and drink it in. Being fully present for each other is central to building relationships. Next time you are at the beach or the lake or your favorite outdoor spot, take five minutes to tune in. In those five minutes, list everything you see. What are the scents? Ocean air? Suntan lotion? What do you feel? The breeze? The sun on your face? The heat on your skin? What are you hearing? The sound of birds? The lapping of waves? Detail every part of your sensory experience. Notice what you like about what you are experiencing, and even what you don't. The important thing is that you are completely there, in the moment.

Celebrating Eden Alternative Milestone 1

2011-07-01T12:40:00.000-10:00

We are excited to let you know that Hale Makua Kahului and Wailuku have passed the first milestone along the Eden Alternative journey which we call Luana (“living in comfort). To mark this accomplishment we cordially invite all residents and their extended family to participate in our Luana / Eden Carnival Celebration Friday, July 1st, 1 - 3 pm

Children and grandchildren are especially welcome. Each nursing neighborhood will decorate and focus on one of the ten Eden Principles. A different carnival game will take place at all of the neighborhoods, Day Health, the Business Office, Nutrition Services, and in the Aloha Café. On arrival at our Kahului community, please go to the Aloha Café (dining area in Activities) to receive your game map. Prizes will be awarded to all of the winners. There will be a clown, balloons and animals.

We will be serving carnival type food such as shave ice, cotton candy, pronto pups, etc. We hope to see you there to help us celebrate as we continue our journey to eliminate the three plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom.

Wailuku Home Holds Barrio Fiesta

2011-06-24T16:04:00.000-10:00

This event in Tagalog means Neighborhood Party, which is exactly what it is! Our Molokai and Lanai neighborhood staff got together to put on our 2011 Hale Makua Wailuku Barrio Fiesta! Our Barrio has always been known to bring people together, no matter who you are or where you're from; you're invited to join in the long-time Filipino tradition and as an active part of some of the big themes that define what it means to be part of our Hale Makua Wailuku Ohana: our Food, our Friendship, and our bonds as a family.

Our Care Partners' families got involved in the Barrio Fiesta. Here, Dana, daughter of Marissa Calubaquib, CNA (transport aide) dances the hula. Behind her, our emcee Paul Pigao, CNA talks with Barrio Fiesta Queen Romana Nicolas (age 105!) while Activities Assistant Maile Licos, CNA takes care of the music.

Ethel Vamosi, who lives in our Molokai Neighborhood, enjoys the festivities with Sofia Cabias, RN, Staffing Supervisor.

Henry Kaina, who lives in our Lanai Neighborhood is all smiles as he dances with Administrator Connie Miller.

Elmo joins several Care Partners in the chicken dance.

Eden Alternative Tip of the Week: Check Your Care Balance

2011-06-13T10:19:00.002-10:00

When was the last time you filled out a care balance check-up sheet for yourself? When was the last time your care partners did the same? A care balance check-up involves thinking about an average day of any given week in your life. During the course of an average day, what are the ways you give to others? How and what do you receive from your care partners? Think out of the box when it comes to what you receive. The gift of warm, receptive smiles is as important as the obvious, more overt gifts of care.

Once you've all completed your care balance check-up, share them with each other to learn more about how you each perceive the balance of care between you. Use this information to make subtle adjustments. Open, supportive discussion around care balance is a vital part of creating a life worth living!

Wailuku Team Receives Award

2011-06-13T09:24:00.000-10:00

Congratulations to the Interdisciplinary Team at Hale Makua Wailuku! The Team was presented with an Achievement of Excellence in Healthcare Quality Award for Reduction in Restraint Use from 2008-2011 from Mountain-Pacific Quality Health. They accepted the award on behalf of all the Wailuku staff who joined forces to dramatically reduce restraint use.

Recognition from the Eden Alternative

2011-06-09T11:48:00.000-10:00

Hale Makua Health Services was recognized for its inspiration in the May 23, 2011 issue of the Eden Alternative News & Updates with the below write-up.

Hale Makua Health Services in Kahului, HI recently completed Milestone 1 in the Path to Mastery. It was a great way to reinforce the foundation they have laid for their Eden Alternative Journey, which they have named Luana, a Hawaiian term meaning "to live in comfort." To celebrate the completion of Milestone 1, employees, Elders and volunteers in their Wailuku home enjoyed a barbeque together. They turned an artificial Christmas tree into an "Eden Tree" and decorated it with home-made ornaments. They then voted on what their next Luana project should be. The afternoon of sharing food and stories led one resident to remark that it had been a long time since she'd had a picnic like that with everyone laughing and enjoying themselves. "It reminds me of my childhood", she shared. Check out the pictures from their fun-filled celebration!

Eden Alternative Tip of the Week: It Can Be Different - Bringing Meaning to Life

2011-06-09T11:06:00.000-10:00

The Eden Alternative Principle Six states that "Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health." This Principle challenges our traditional approach to filling the Elders' daily lives. Under the influence of the medical model, we believe that being busy means being fulfilled. Those seeing through Eden Eyes understand that more is not better. We need to individually honor the events in people's lives. Events should be personalized to the home, the neighborhood, and to the individual. Everyone can play a part in finding meaning in daily life, not
just those with the word "activity" attached to their job description. Lastly, less is more when it comes to filling life with meaning. Here is a great example from the Sitka Pioneers' Home in Alaska.

Ta's New Connection: Her Computer
Let's take a look at how reinventing the activities calendar, to focus more on individual needs, has dramatically enhanced the lives of Elders. Here is one example: Ta bought herself a laptop for her birthday about 6 months ago. She knew very little about how to operate it when she first got it. She depended on us to get a wireless router, so that she could access the internet from her room and get her email set up. After some time, she even got brave enough to tackle Facebook! Without the flexibility in our schedule, her skills would not have advanced so quickly. She found a class to take at the local library about basic computer operations, and she made sure to attend as many sessions as she could. She has fallen in love with the game of FreeCell, and takes full advantage of her ability to interact with her family, who live at a distance, and some of her friends from 40 years ago.

Eden Book Club growing at Hale Makua Wailuku

2011-05-27T13:57:00.001-10:00

A few weeks ago, a small group of employees decided to form an Eden Book Club. The first book chosen was The Journey of a Lifetime: Leadership Pathways to Culture Change in Long-Term Care by Nancy Fox. This week, our group met in the Lanai Neighborhood and we were spontaneously joined by residents who added to an interesting discussion of chapter 3. We talked about society's views on aging, and our experts, ages 84-94 had some wonderful insights! What a great lesson this was in the value of getting out of the "carpeted areas" and into the flow of daily life in our home.

Hale Makua's Wailuku Home Celebrates Eden Alternative Milestone

2011-05-24T13:45:00.000-10:00

Over the last few years, numerous changes have been made to make Hale Makua's two campuses more home-like. The Eden Alternative recently recognized our progress and gave us passing marks on Milestone 1 of our journey. To celebrate this accomplishment, staff, residents, and volunteers in our Wailuku home shared a meal together, decorated an "Eden Tree" with home-made ornaments, and voted on our next Eden project.

The afternoon of sharing food and stories led one resident to remark that it had been a long time since she'd had a picnic like that, with everyone laughing and enjoying themselves. "It reminds me of my childhood" she said.

Variety and Spontaneity During National Nursing Home Week

2011-05-17T09:24:00.000-10:00

Variety and spontaneity are the antidotes to the human plague of boredom both for residents and staff.

Celebrating National Nursing Home Week at Hale Makua's nursing communities has become an art form, a competition and just plain fun at Hale Makua Health Services nursing communities.

Whether its dressing up as pirates and buccaneers to celebrate the latest Disney movie, performing for a resident audience, or staff from the various neighborhoods competing in silly sports games, everyone from residents to staff and family benefit from this creative set of events.

Enjoying the Harvest

2011-05-17T09:03:00.000-10:00

Giving as well as receiving care, the antitdote to "helplessness" can be encouraged in a number of ways. Residents of Hale Makua, Wailuku thought of the idea of an outdoor garden. Gardening from a wheelchair can be satisfying and fun. Planter boxes 6 feet long and two feet wide were constructed, placed on cement blocks at the right height and filled with gardening soil. Here, Mrs. Waiohu, resident of Hale Makua, Wailuku prepares to wrap the harvest of lettuce for sale to residents, families and staff

Happy Nursing Home Week - Message from the C.E.O.

2011-05-12T07:56:00.000-10:00

Aloha Staff, Board Members and Volunteers;

As you all know, this week is National Nursing Home Week. This years national theme, “Fullfilling the Promise” , like the uniquely American phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” – is all about living life to its fullest potential.

We are all familiar with the necessities of health care – e.g. medical treatments, nursing care, therapies and nutrition. What distinguishes long term and post-acute care from other health care settings is their focus on caring for the whole person. “Fulfilling the Promise” means holistic care. This is seen when staff give comfort on difficult days, smile when sadness intrudes, hug when spirits sag, friendship to lighten a day, confidence when in doubt and companionship to counter fear and loneliness. “Fulfilling the Promise” produces meaningful, and most importantly, positive outcomes, satisfaction and an excellent working environment.

None of this would be possible without your commitment to coming to work or volunteering everyday with enthusiasm, creativity and compassion, the hallmarks of our Luana Journey. Your dedication to eliminating the three plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom by creating a community that supports variety and spontaneity, promotes loving companionship , encourages opportunities for elders to give as well as receive care, supports the cultivation of plants and gardens, and makes possible interaction with children and animals makes Hale Makua’s nursing communities very special places for the elders in our care.

Again, Happy Nursing Home Week!

Sincerely,

Tony Krieg
C.E.O.
HALE MAKUA HEALTH SERVICES

Luana Video Premiere Event

2011-04-20T09:29:00.000-10:00

Ruth Shimada

Ali Helm

On Friday, March 25th, Hale Makua Kahului held a red carpet premiere event showing of our Luana video. Hale Makua residents, Adult Day Health clients, family members, volunteers, and staff who starred in the video were presented with miniature Oscar-like awards and made their way down the red carpet. In addition to the actors and actresses, family members were invited to this exclusive showing of the Luana video. Shannon Loo and Koa Simarago donated their time and talents to transform the Aloha Cafe into a red carpet affair, and freshly popped popcorn and sparkling apple cider added to the festivities.

The Rawson Ohana

In 2010, Hale Makua Health Services was selected as one of four recipients of the Bank of Hawaii Mike Lyons Maui Community Award, which was used to produce an educational video about Luana, an initiative which strives to move away from the traditional, medical model of care, to a resident-directed model of care where residents make choices about their daily activities themselves, and the environment that they live in is more like their own home. The video was produced by Jon Duarte Design Group, and is now available for viewing at www.halemakua.org.

Charlene & Lynn with their mom, Michiko

Herman Kukahiko

This ten minute educational video showcases the culture change taking place at Hale Makua’s Long Term Care communities in Kahului and Wailuku on the island of Maui. The goal of the video is to educate staff, residents, families and the public about how Hale Makua is combating the “plagues” of loneliness, helplessness and boredom, which account for the bulk of suffering that nursing home residents’ face.

The birthday girl, Betsy Ouchi, with her family

According to the Pioneer Network, a national center for stakeholders in the field of aging and long term care whose focus is on providing home and community for elders, "culture change" is the common name given to the national movement for the transformation of older adult services, based on person-directed values and practices where the voices of elders and those working with them are considered and respected. Core person-directed values are choice, dignity, respect, self-determination and purposeful living. Culture change transformation supports the creation of both long and short-term living environments as well as community-based settings where both older adults and their caregivers are able to express choice and practice self-determination in meaningful ways at every level of daily life.

Fumi Nishijo

Violet Decoite

Barbara Silva

BJ and his daughter Linnea

Gloria Destefano & her daughter

Emma Lee with her daughter Stephanie

Viewing the video

Staff at Hale Makua in Kahului thanked

2011-04-06T16:33:00.000-10:00

I had to send a big thank-you to the staff at Hale Makua Kahului for all their hard work and dedication. Each and every one, custodial staff, all the certified nursing assistant, business and administrative staff, food preparation and dining room workers, nurses and doctors, drivers, yard and maintenance helpers, and anyone I may have overlooked, deserve a huge word of thanks and recognition.

Of late, Denise Thayer and her staff deserve kudos for all their hard work on the "Luana" project video. The video describes with accuracy just what Hale Makua is about. Also thanks to Teresa Lopes and the girls in the activity room for the way they presented it to those who took part in the video itself -- like a Hollywood gala, with red carpet, Oscars awarded, and photos in front of a star-studded tinsel backdrop to boot. You made all the residents and families of residents feel very special when really, it's all of you who are the special ones.

Thank you all!

Ron Rawson

Kula

From The Maui News, April 5, 2011

Our Newest Compassionate Caring Grads

2011-04-06T10:53:00.000-10:00

Congratulations to the graduates of the Compassionate Caring & Continuous Improvement classes held on March 30 and 31, 2011: Avelina Hermano, Benita Eusebio, Brenda Kay Henry, Jaimie Kaneshiro, Janet Agamata, Joelita Ucol, Joynabelle Baldonado, Marilyn Hong, Roberto Caliboso, Serlin Sorim, Ursula Espeleta, and Zaira Katsuda.

Wailuku Gardening Club

2011-04-01T16:23:00.002-10:00

Henry Kaina working alongside the students

This afternoon students from the Achievement Academy worked with the residents in the Hale Makua Wailuku Garden Club to repaint planters and plant new plants. The Garden Club was developed and is managed by residents. The group meets every Wednesday at 1:30pm.

Meeting with the Achievement Academy students and residents

Students get working on the planters

Residents Take Aim at Dunking Staff

2011-04-01T14:58:00.001-10:00

This afternoon staff and residents had the opportunity to dunk Hale Makua Health Services staff and managers at team Pono Star's fundraiser for the Visitor Industry Charity Walk. Above resident Harold Rawson tries his hand at dunking our CEO Tony Krieg. Below resident Herman Kukahiko sends Activities Director Teresa Lopes for a double dunkin'!

Adult Day Health Quilters

2011-03-29T13:14:00.000-10:00

Pictured from left: Jean Kaner, Ruth Fukamoto, Marion Watanabe, Masuyo Doi, Sue Dengler (volunteer), Lorraine Nishijo

The ladies of Adult Day Health pose with their masterpiece - a beautiful, handmade quilted wall hanging. They've been working on this project for the past two years and will be entering it into the Maui County Fair Homemakers Exhibit this Fall.

Visiting Alii Kula Lavender Farm

2011-03-24T16:26:00.000-10:00

The ladies of Hale Makua Kahului enjoy the view while eating bentos from Puakalani Superette

Resident Frank Daeder checks out the view with Nursing Supervisor Nida Smith

Understanding Care Partnership

2011-03-23T10:02:00.000-10:00

When we begin to focus on Elders as people who continue to "grow and become," we open to what they have to offer us. Seeing Elders as mentors with something to give helps us make the leap from caregiving... to care partnering. When those usually described as care receivers learn they have something to give - and there is always some way that they can, no matter how subtle -and those usually described as care givers deeply acknowledge the ways that they receive from care receivers, some amazing shifts occur in the care dynamic. They become Care Partners."

Instead of seeing the needs of 'caregivers' as separate from the needs of 'care receivers,' we need to focus on the well-being of the whole care partnership. At the Eden Alternative, we firmly believe that words make worlds. Like the term 'Elder,' the phrase 'Care Partner' is an excellent example of the transformative power of choosing our language carefully. As a concept, care partnership evens the playing field, as it is often easy to get trapped in a one-dimensional experience of care. With this in mind, teams must fully appreciate what it means to be a care partner team. The term "care partner" should never be used simply as a politically-correct replacement for the words "staff" or "aide" or "caregiver/care receiver." Care partnership encompasses so much more, both in nursing homes and out in the larger community.

By our definition, a care partner team is composed of the following care partners: the Elder herself; those care partners who work with her, whether they work in a nursing home or through home health support; her family members, friends, volunteers, and any other health professionals that collaborate with her. Care partnering implies a balance of care, that opportunities to give as well as receive are abundant and experienced by everyone involved in the care relationship in every moment. To deepen the experience of care partnership, consider holding Learning Circles on the subject that bring Elders and all of their care partners together.

Source: Eden Alternative News & Updates

A Trip to the Aquarium

2011-03-22T14:46:00.000-10:00

Nonna Yalon and Nonna Nicolas pose in front of the Maui Ocean Center

Yesterday, Hale Makua Wailuku residents spent the afternoon at the Maui Ocean Center. They enjoyed all the wonderful sites, weather, and the great company!

Activities Assistant Delva with Nonna Nicolas and Nonna Yalon meeting some fish friends

Nonna Yalon inside the aquarium admiring the fishes

Residents' Gardening Club Gets Going in Wailuku

2011-03-22T14:09:00.000-10:00

At a recent resident council our elders decided that they wanted to plant a new garden at our Wailuku home. Elders, volunteers, families/friends, and staff have been meeting weekly as the “Garden Club” to discuss the plan of action. Recent topics included, a unanimous decision, on relocating the garden to the area adjacent to the sidewalk, where the red gingers are now. It was also agreed that an elevated garden would better address the issue of accessibility! Using existing planter boxes and requesting funds from the Office of Development and private donations were some of the good suggestions made!

Many mahalos to Kel Sato for his help with the Garden Club at Wailuku!

About the Eden Alternative Path to Mastery Milestone 1

2011-03-21T16:13:00.000-10:00

The Path to Mastery: The Art of Creating a Caring Community is a new resource that the Eden Alternative has created to guide homes through the process of integrating the Ten Principles and practices of our Philosophy deep within their organization. It is based on 15 years of experience of homes that have committed to deep and lasting culture change. It contains four Milestones that mark off different levels of expertise attained as homes progress on their culture change journey. The accomplishment of Milestones will also inform consumers what to expect when they visit Eden Registry homes. The Path to Mastery is way to help those within the Eden Alternative community become well-known.

Milestone 1 contains the foundational steps that prepare formal leaders to guide the implementation of culture change. If you left Certified Eden Associate training wondering what to do next, Milestone 1 gives you the path to get started. Completing Milestone 1 is the path toward joining the Eden Registry; it is a part of the application process. All current homes on the Registry are also journeying back in time to remember just how they got started by completing the steps in Milestone 1. Whether they have been on the journey 2 months or 12 years, each story they share is filled with ideas on how you can get started as well. Once all the current Registered Home have completed Milestone 1, we will be bringing their stories together in a Registry Community Legacy that will inspire others to join us in creating a life worth living for all care partners everywhere.

Once an organization is on the Path to Mastery and has joined the Eden Registry, they will have access to the other three Milestones. These Milestones continue to guide homes through a series of outcome steps along a path that leads to deep culture change. There are many new tools and resources that have been developed specifically to support the Path to Mastery.

We are on schedule to submit the Path to Mastery Milestone 1 by April 1, 2011!

Tip of the Week: The Continuum of Care – What Does It Mean for Culture Change?

2011-03-21T16:09:00.000-10:00

Culture change in our industry was born in the halls of the nursing home. For many years now, we have witnessed exciting developments regarding how we can transform the nursing homes of yesterday into the warm, welcoming homes of today. We have had the opportunity to benefit from a body of work that has been years in the making. When we talk about the “whole continuum of care,” we are referring to the undeniable fact that care doesn’t stop inside the walls of the nursing home. It reaches beyond those walls into the neighborhood streets and communities that make up our towns and cities. It reaches into the faith-based communities, the senior centers, the adult day centers, the assisted living and independent living communities, the hospitals, and the home health networks that support the needs of Elders in those towns and cities.

And in each of these environments, care does not live in a vacuum. The care experienced in the nursing home is connected to the care offered in the hospital or at home or in assisted living. Each impacts and influences the other. This is why culture change must reach across the entire continuum of care to be truly effective. We can’t push hard for change in nursing homes and simply ignore how the institutional model impacts care in someone’s home. When the general public is educated about culture change and person-directed care, we raise the bar of expectation. No one drives change better than a motivated consumer! But it is more than just teaching the public about what to demand from care at any level. It is also about empowering the public to own their role in changing the culture of care. How do they live these concepts in their own lives, in their own interactions, in their own care relationships? Quality care begins at the grassroots level. We are all part of the solution.

Two weeks ago, members of the Georgia Culture Change Network came together to acknowledge their varied roles on the continuum of care at Eden at Home Trainer Certification in Atlanta, Georgia. This particular culture change coalition is committed to addressing care as a continuum, and given their creativity and enthusiasm, we have no doubt they will achieve great things. May their commitment be a reminder – it can be different, no matter where Elders live!

Saint Patrick's Day Festivities

2011-03-17T17:08:00.000-10:00

Mrs. Keegan and Mona counting their lucky shamrocks

Today we had our Lucky Shamrock hunt. Residents and staff paired up and raced through the hallways to be the top 2 teams to collect the most Lucky Shamrocks for prizes. After the shamrock hunt we enjoyed a Luck o the Irish Ice Cream social and card tournament.

And their off!

Teams racing through the halls to get back and count their luck!

West Neigborhood Resident Room Gets Redecorated

2011-03-02T10:21:00.001-10:00

From left: Jules Castillo, Fedelyn Domingo, Ella Rosetes, Leilani Goo, Evelyn Wilson, Chris Casio

This past Monday, West Neighborhood resident Evelyn Wilson and her team of care partners (Chris Casio, Jules Castillo, Fedelyn Domingo, Leilani Goo and Ella Rosetes) helped redecorate her room to feel more home-like, and personalized to her own tastes. Originally from England, the team created a room with a European feel. Activities Director Teresa Lopes and Nutrition Services Manager Rosie Kahiamoe assisted with the shopping.

Next the team is planning on work with Evelyn's roommate to revamp her room!

Certified Eden Associate Graduates

2011-02-28T12:43:00.000-10:00

Congratulations to twenty-one members of our staff ranging from Administrators and Senior CNAs to Activities Assistants and a Maintenance & Engineering Supervisor attended a three day Certified Eden Associate Training last week. Eden Alternative Community Builder, Denise Hyde, lead the training session focusing on team building and the Eden Alternative Principles:

Problem Statement
The three plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom account for the bulk of suffering among our Elders.

Solution
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.

Antidotes

Loving companionship is the antidote to loneliness. Elders deserve easy access to human and animal companionship.
An Elder-centered community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness.
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.

Practice

Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.
Medical treatment should be the servant of genuine human caring, never its master.
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 the Elders or into the hands of those closest to them.

Drivers

Creating an Elder-centered community is a never-ending process. Human growth must never be separated from human life.
Wise leadership is the lifeblood of any struggle against the three plagues. For it, there can be no substitute.

Certified Eden Associate graduates

The Blue Waves: Leilani Lion, Ella Elephant, Jodi Jumping Jacks, Asha Aligator, Kel Kangaroo

The Purple People Eaters: Carl Cougar, Lily Leaf, Dionie Daffodil, Denise Daisy

The Gold Medalist: Glenn Giraffe, Letti Lemon, Shelly Seagull, Lynsey Lemur

The Green Frogs: Queenie Quiet Time, Tony Tiger, Connie Caterpillar, May Might Mouse, Mely Mongoose

The Healing Hearts: Phyllis Philly, Janinne Jaguar, Chris Cat, Teresa Treefrog, Arlyn Apple

Five Days of Variety & Spontaneity

2011-02-21T14:12:00.001-10:00

Bruno Wong waters plants for a shot on day 1

During the month of January, 40 plus Hale Makua residents and Adult Day Health clients played the starring role in our Luana video shoot. Over the course of the five day shoot residents and clients had their hair and make-up done, were coached and directed, and acted in over 35 different scenes showcasing the principles of Luana, focusing on:

The warm, home-like environment
Opportunities to give care
Self-empowerment
Variety and spontaneity of activities
Companionship of people, kids, pets and plants

Even those residents who were not playing an acting role in the video were entertained and intrigued by the video crew filming on-site at Hale Makua Kahului. Having the video crew of four people plus someone doing hair and make-up added variety and spontaneity to the lives of those residents who were participating in the video and even those who were just watching.

Social Services Assistant & Vilma Sanchez in a care planning shot on day 2

Outing at the Maui Arts & Culture Center Schaefer Gallery on Day 3

Coffee service in the Aloha Cafe on day 4

John Kaawai being interviewed on day 5

The goal of producing this video is to share our vision of Luana with new hires, residents, families, donors, and the public. Stay tuned for the launch of our Launa video in late March or early April. It will also be available on our website (www.halemakua.org) for your viewing pleasure.

Crowning of a new Hale Makua Miss Sweetheart

2011-02-15T15:22:00.000-10:00

Miss Day Health is crowned this year's Miss Valentine's Sweetheart by Activities Director Teresa Lopes

On February 14th, Hale Makua Kahului held their third annual Miss Sweetheart Pageant. A total of eight contestants represented each of Hale Makua Kahului’s six neighborhoods as well as Adult Day Health and the Activities department. Each contestant was escorted down the red carpet by CEO and Kahului Administrator, Tony Krieg. All of the ladies looked exceptionally lovely in beautiful dresses, coiffed hair and adornments in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Miss Day Health tossed heart shaped chocolates to her adoring fans.

Contestants were asked “what does love mean to you?” Responses varied from caring for someone special to the wonderful care received from the caregivers at Adult Day Health. Emcee Brian Nagami joked that the swimsuit portion of the competition was held earlier. While the judges made their final selections for this year’s winners, Dani Waring and Brian Nagami sang a beautiful duet in honor of Valentine’s Day and the Activities team danced the Electric Slide.

Second runner up was Miss Activities, Juanita Blair. First runner up was Delores Witter, representing the West Neighborhood. The winner and 2011 Miss Valentine’s Sweetheart was Miss Day Health, Jean Kenar. Jean was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 27, 1924. She has been married for 64 years, has four children and many grandchildren. She enjoys cooking, gardening, baking, making plastic canvas ceramics, playing pinochle, ballroom dancing and traveling.

A special mahalo to Shannon Loo and Koa Simarago for generously donating their time and talents to transform the Aloha Café into a gorgeous Valentine’s Day catwalk complete with feathers and balloons.

Serving Up a Game of Volleyball

2011-02-09T17:55:00.000-10:00

Yesterday residents and staff teamed up to play wheelchair volleyball in the activity center. Residents named their teams Kuaina against the Nokaoi. Two games were played and each team won one game each. We had so much fun, you could hear the yelling and laughter throughout the Weinberg Center.

Fantasy Football League Winners

2011-02-04T16:47:00.000-10:00

A group of residents Adult Day Health clients and staff get together every year to create their own Fantasy Football League. This year's winners were Brian Nagami in first place, John Bellini took second place for the second year in a row, and Richard Kam won third place.

Brian pictured in back with John on the left and Richard on the right

Kung Hee Fat Choy Cooking

2011-02-04T16:41:00.000-10:00

In celebration of Chinese New Year yesterday the Activities staff of Hale Makua Kahului cooked up a batch of yummy crispy won tons for residents to enjoy hot out of the fryer.

Activities staff hard at work.

Ali Helm biting into a hot crispy won ton!

Residents form a Group to Celebrate Their Love of Music

2011-01-27T13:53:00.001-10:00

Residents of the Hale Makua Wailuku Lanai Neighborhood have started a circle of love group, which includes listening to music and encourages residents to express their unique personalities through song and movement. The founding members of this group are Henry Kaina, Sarah Takatani, Richard Souza, and Annie Quitan.

Visit to Surfing Goat Dairy

2011-01-24T15:49:00.001-10:00

Today we went to the Surfing goat dairy farm - talk about an all around sensory experience! We got to see where they processed the goat milk to make the cheese, we got to play with the baby goats/kids, and we sampled the various flavor cheeses that they make (such as Mandalay - made with apple bananas, O Sole Mio with sun dried tomatoes, and Broken Hearts with olive oil, basil and garlic). It was an amazing experience for all! Thank you to the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm for such a fun filled day!

The ladies meeting some of the kids

Enjoying the shade of the relaxing sitting area and trying some of the cheeses and crackers

Activities Assistants Delva and Jacky with residents (from left) Mrs. Yokouchi, Mrs. Nakahashi, Mrs Asuncion, and Mrs. Keegan

Eden Alternative Tip of the Week: Thoughts for the New Year

2011-01-24T10:20:00.000-10:00

Hard to believe we are on the brink of another new year. As always, a new year brings with it a promise of new beginnings and second chances. This reminds me of Principle 9: Creating an Elder-centered community is a never-ending process. Human growth must never be separated from human life. A new year also provides us an opportunity to reflect on the past year and how we included the Eden Principles into our day.

As we being our new year, let's celebrate what we do every day and how we continue to strive for a place worth living and working in for our Elders and peers. Some thoughts come to mind:

Positive Thinking. We must celebrate our successes more than we focus on our failures. Who did we see living the Principles today that we can recognize? When was the last time you did a mitzvah for someone? Are we seeing opportunities ahead or impossible challenges?
Determination. We just don't give up, do we? No matter what the setback or obstacle, we all keep plugging along or as the saying goes, "keep on keeping on." There is nothing we cannot do when we come together as a community around a common purpose!
Dedication. Be proud of your community and those around you. Be inspired by the dedication and compassion of those around you and how truly Elder-focused you have become. Be a dedicated role model to others. The calling to eliminate loneliness, helplessness and boredom continues to inspire us daily.
Appreciation. Thank each other for the extraordinary jobs we do every day, we all deserve it. Do not forget to thank the Elders for all the goodness and knowledge they add to our lives. Can you really get too many pats-on-the-back!

There are no more fitting words than those from Albert Schweitzer, "A man can only do what he can do. But if he does it each day he can sleep at night and do it again the next day." Thank those around you for the compassion and dedication they provide each day. Take time to look back and see how far you have come and then look ahead to what comes next in your journey. The lives of the Elders are enriched because of you!

By Theresa Schneider, St. John's Home, Rochester, NY

Pizza Making

2011-01-21T09:52:00.000-10:00

Hale Makua Wailuku residents had fun making their own pizzas. Residents got together and enjoyed making a delicious mess! They had an array of veggies, spice, cheeses, and pepperoni to choose from to personalize their own homemade pizza!

Hajime Yamaguchi showing Charlotte Keegan which is the best topping

All the fixings

The ladies enjoying just out of the oven pizza pies

Residents Get a Jump Start on Valentine's

2011-01-19T14:02:00.001-10:00

Hale Makua Wailuku residents gathered to start Valentine's Day cards their loved ones. Their beautifully crafted cards consist of their own hand print and a poem that reads:

My hands have grown older through the years,

And they have wiped away many tear.

They held you when you were young and

Wiped a tear to keep you strong,

So, hang this on your wall to view.

Remember that I will always love you!

Mitsue Nakahashi looking a bit smurfy!

Henry Kaina displaying his art!

Another Resident Turns 100

2011-01-19T09:15:00.000-10:00

On January 10th, family, staff and residents helped resident Ignacia Quiray celebrate her 100th birthday!

Bunny Love

2010-12-28T14:05:00.001-10:00

Yesterday morning Ilima neighborhood residents enjoyed time playing with and feeding some beautiful bunnies brought in for a visit by the Haku Baldwin Center.

Photos courtesy of Melissa Antonius, Ilima Neighborhood Supervisor

Hale Makua Kahului Annual Christmas Program

2010-12-28T13:52:00.000-10:00

On December 23rd Hale Makua Kahului residents, families and staff enjoyed this year's Christmas program. A last minute decision to move the program to the Aloha Cafe due to soggy grounds from heavy rains the night before didn't dampen the Christmas spirit or festivities. The Aloha Cafe was beautifully decorated, staff performed several dances and songs, Lani was a gracious emcee, and Greg Juan played guitar and serenaded the crowd throughout the program.

Staff and resident Helen Oliveria sing the 12 Days of Christmas

Santa makes a guest appearance

Mar sits on Santa's lap

The Activities Team performs a song in sign language

Santa distributes Christmas gifts

Resident Council Celebrates the Holidays

2010-12-27T13:34:00.000-10:00

On December 23rd, 11 members from Hale Makua Kahului's Resident Council gathered to celebrate the holidays. Activities Director, Teresa Lopes, and Nutrition Services Manager, Rosie Kahiamoe, worked the grill to prepare a special meal for the Resident Council, including hamburgers, hot dogs and teriyaki beef. Yum!

Birthday boy, Bruno Wong, enjoys a BBQ lunch with Vilma Sanchez

Nancy Kawamura assembles her hamburger


Wally Oshiro & Shigeko Nemoto enjoy their lunch

Chirtmas is a Time for Family

2010-12-27T09:25:00.002-10:00

Resident Stephen Harada and his grandson spent some quality time together on Christmas Eve, enjoying lunch and building gingerbread houses.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Antonius, Ilima Neighborhood Supervisor

Gingerbread Cookie Decorating

2010-12-23T13:00:00.000-10:00

Holiday Decorations with Tutu

2010-12-22T10:04:00.000-10:00

This year for Christmas Tutu (my husband's grandmother) wanted Christmas decorations for her bedroom windows, so this past Saturday we spent the afternoon decorating Tutu's windows at Hale Makua Kahului with removable, re-positionable stickers.

Tutu puts the finishing snowflakes on Frosty

Tutu adds the gum drops & peppermint sticks

Shaun & Tutu pose in front of their finished window decorations

Annual Winter Ball

2010-12-14T17:17:00.000-10:00

For the past few years St. Anthony students have made it a tradition to throw a Winter Ball for the residents at Hale Makua Wailuku. The female residents get all dolled up and have their hair and make-up done by St. Anthony volunteers. The students decorate the dining room, sing carols, and spend some quality time with the residents in celebration of the holidays.

Roberta Yamada gets her make-up and hair done by a St. Anthony's volunteer

Laura Waiohu and Peter Kaina sing carols with the St. Anthony Students

Residents enjoying the festive décor and music

Santa makes a guest appearance

Connie Dang Celebrates 100th Birthday

2010-12-14T16:45:00.000-10:00

Resident Connie Dang (pictured with her son Frank) celebrated her 100th birthday last week! I snapped this photo as she was on her way out to a family party being throw in her honor.

Amazon the Parrot Brings out Smiling Faces

2010-12-03T10:39:00.000-10:00

Tony Basco, the son of a resident at Hale Makua Wailuku, frequently takes his beloved pet parrot Amazon in to visit his Dad. While he's here Amazon brings joy to the residents and sparks a lot of spontaneous curiosity.

Peter Kaina takes a break from leading the exercise circle to meet Amazon

Sarah Takatani talking with Amazon

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Chirstmas

2010-11-30T13:49:00.000-10:00

Residents, family members, and staff kicked off the Christmas spirit by setting up the Christmas tree in the Aloha Cafe yesterday. Everyone lent a hand to open up branches and insert them into the the appropriate spots. Can't wait to see what the fully decorated tree looks like!

Residents Enjoy a Fabulous Thanksgiving Feast

2010-11-29T16:49:00.000-10:00

Volunteer Lillian and Activities Assistant Donna plate the meals

Residents enjoy good food and great company on Thanksgiving day

Inspiration from an Eden-Registered Home

2010-11-29T11:24:00.000-10:00

When I first applied at the Brethren Retirement community, I thought I was applying for a job as a nursing assistant. I never dreamed it would become so much more than that. It has become a family, a home, and a career for me. I am glad to say that I have been a part of the Brethren Retirement Community for more than ten years now.

Each floor of the Brethren Retirement Community is its own neighborhood. I work in a neighborhood that is home to people living with dementia. My main duties are to assist these individuals with all activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, eating and so much more. To some, this may seem mundane, but I receive a great deal of satisfaction from what I do. I get the distinct pleasure of becoming a large part of their lives and learning about their past. I get to be there to help them celebrate milestones like 100th birthdays or re-learning how to dress themselves or feed themselves after a stroke or an accident. Since I give direct care to those I work with, I am one of the first to notice changes in their behavior, mood or abilities, which is a key part of ensuring their health, comfort and happiness. As care partners, we are encouraged to come up with new and innovative ways to meet the ever-changing needs of the Elders who live here.

Upon hearing what I do for a living, I am often asked how I can handle such a depressing job where the residents ultimately either pass away or go home. I always respond the same way every time without hesitation. Before they pass away, they live. Before they go home, they grow stronger. I get to be someone who helps them achieve the strength needed to go home and I get to be the one who makes them smile and ensures comfort in their last days. Knowing this, who wouldn't want this job? You can't focus on the downside of a job, you can only focus on the upside and how to be better at your job or career. This position is no different. Wouldn't you enjoy making someone smile?

We at the Brethren Retirement Community strive to give our residents the best quality of life not just quantity. It is something that we take great pride in doing well and are always trying to improve upon. I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to be a small part of something that is such a big part of life for so many others. For that I am forever grateful.

From a Care Partner at Brethren Retirement Community, Greenville, OH

Eden Alternative Tip of the Week: Reflections on Giving Thanks

2010-11-29T11:19:00.001-10:00

As I celebrate my first Thanksgiving as a member of the Eden Alternative family, I realize how thankful I am for the opportunity to serve all of you in my new role. Since joining Eden Alternative in June, I have met so many wonderful people who are so passionate about serving Elders and each other by applying the Eden Alternative Principles. I want to personally thank all of you who live these Principles each day and for the positive example you share with the world.

It is just amazing for me to see how these ten simple Principles can have such a profound impact on so many lives when they are put into practice. It gives me pause to think about the awesome responsibility I have been given to lead the Eden Alternative and to bring our message to many more people here in the U.S. and around the globe. I am so thankful that I have been given this opportunity to work with an amazing group of people and an amazing organization as part of a powerful cause.

I hope you all will take a break over this holiday weekend to enjoy its blessings "Eden Style". Think about the ways you can give as well as receive care. Take the time to slow down and enjoy being in the moment. Celebrate the Elders who will be with you and the gifts they will share with you over Thanksgiving dinner. Enjoy the simple pleasures that Thanksgiving Day with family and friends has to offer. I wish you and yours the very happiest "Eden Style" Thanksgiving!

Best regards,
Chris Perna

Eden Alternative CEO

Resident Spotlight: Doris Voss

2010-11-23T17:28:00.003-10:00

Doris Voss was born Doris Makalapua Shea, on December 20, 1927. She was raised in Papakolea on Oahu, Hawaii. She is one of Nine (9) children born to William AhLeong Shea and Hattie Makaneole, a full-blooded Hawaiian. During her childhood, Doris enjoyed playing games with her siblings and friends, especially marbles, at which she excelled. She looked forward to the annual beach picnic which involved the entire Papakolea community. Her community was part of the Hawaiian Homestead, and the people living there were very close and always involved in community activities.

Doris is pictured here with her son Al

After going to McKinley High School, Doris took shorthand and worked at Waikiki Bowl as a pin setter for a couple of months, then worked for Kodak of Hawaii as a checker, and later as a clerk/cashier. One day while she was working a uniformed gentleman came in to pick up photos for his friends, and gave Doris several receipt tickets. Doris couldn’t find the photos and told him she couldn’t locate them. This made him upset and he mumbled under his breath as he left the store.

About a month later, Doris’ friend named Queenie, who had been staying with Doris’ family for a couple of months, said her boyfriend was coming up to the house. When he got there, he told Queenie and Doris that he wanted them to meet his friend and neighbor, “Bud”. When Doris went up to the car and looked in, both she and “Bud” looked at each other and simultaneously said “it’s you?” After that awkward moment, the four of them and a friend decided to drive around the island. With ukulele in hand, Doris played and sang songs, one of which was “But Where Are You?”, which became the favorite song of Bud and DorisAlbrechtson, married December 14, 1946. Doris and Bud had four (4) children, Robynn Moana Sonoda, Lynnay Luana Argel, Albert Sigurd “Sparky” Albrechtson III, and Allyn Troy “Kippy” Albrechtson. Doris worked as a cashier at Zane’s Market in Kaimuki for 17 years while Bud worked as a police officer for 27 years, until the children were grown and out of the house. Doris also has 7 loving grandchildren.

Bud passed away in 1988, and Doris remarried to David Voss. They traveled extensively while they were both in good health, but David recently passed away as well. His paintings are proudly displayed in Doris’ room, and she enjoys Hawaiian music, especially the oldies, and loves playing all kinds of card games.

She is indeed a family treasure!

Submitted by Lynsey Capone, Activities Director

Happy for Sushi

2010-11-23T17:22:00.000-10:00

Yesterday a handful of Hale Makua Wailuku residents enjoyed lunch at Genki Sushi at Maui Mall. "Genki" means "happy" in Japanese, and there were a lot of happy stomachs after eating all of that onolicious sushi! Mrs. Inouye and Mrs. Tamanaha were assisted in making their sushi selections by Activities Assistant Maile Licos and Volunteer Lillian Murakami (pictured above).

Veterans' Day Celebrated

2010-11-19T17:02:00.000-10:00

Mahalo to the Na Pua O Kapiolani Hula Halau for providing all of the wonderful entertainment for Hale Makua Kahului's 26th annual Veterans' Day program. It is such a treat to have this tradition carried on for all these years. The residents enjoyed the hula and music performances by the dancers of all ages.

Crafts with Maui High School Students

2010-11-19T16:43:00.000-10:00

High school students from Maui High School who have an interest in pursuing a career in healthcare come every year to Hale Makua Kahului to work on a crafts project with the residents. Each resident is partnered with one student. This year each student came up with their own individual crafts project to work on with a resident. In previous years all of the resident-student teams would work on the same crafts. It was great to see the residents and students working together as a team on a project, and we look forward to seeing the Maui High School students again next year!

Jerry works on a drawing

Wally and a student work on making lei together

Nancy and a student work together on a weaving

Shigeko adds color to her wooden box

Therapy Dog on Vacation

2010-11-17T09:55:00.000-10:00

Ruth gives Jaya a treat

Therapy dog Jaya was vacationing on Maui for two months with her owner Melodie Ulman. During those months both Jaya and Melodie took the time to visit Hale Makua Kahului and got to know the residents. Jaya is a visitation dog certified by the Delta Society. She is six years old and is also a hospice volunteer in her home town of Tahoe, California. While on Maui Melodie wanted to give back to the Maui community by bringing joy to some of our residents who enjoy the companionship of a pet, but prefer not to have the full-time responsibility of caring for one. Melodie hopes to come back to Hale Makua with Jaya on all of her future trips to Maui, and we look forward to having them!

Petting Jaya puts a smile on Mary's face

Residents Volunteer at the Maui Humane Society

2010-11-16T17:54:00.000-10:00

Maria Nishida getting some puppy kisses!

Today Hale Makua Wailuku residents and staff went to the Maui Humane Society to visit with the animals. The residents donated plenty of goodies for the animals - comfy blankets for the new puppies and kittens to snuggle up to, fuzzy toys for them to play with, and treats! Most importantly our residents gave back to the community and gave the animals some much needed tender loving care!

Mistue Nakahashi with a kitten and Administrator Connie Miller

Eileen Kailihou and a recently fostered kitten