THE PLAZA ASSISTED LIVING
The Plaza Assisted Living offers a convenient month-to-month rental for Oahu’s seniors, which includes the following amenities:
• A variety of attractive apartment styles, each equipped with an emergency call system to communicate with wellness staff.
• Three delicious meals daily, served restaurant style
• Monthly wellness program
• Access to The Plaza’s wellness staff 24 hours per day
• Weekly housekeeping and linen services
• Daily activities and exercise programs
• Scheduled transportation on the Plaza Shuttle
• Basic utilities
The Plaza Assisted Living offers residents an array of comprehensive care programs, including Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, for residents who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias.
The Plaza’s Independent Living program allows residents to continue their daily activities while receiving all of The Plaza’s standard services and amenities. In the event that Plaza residents might require nursing assistance, a personalized care plan is available on an as-needed basis.
Plaza Assisted Living’s Assisted Living program is designed to foster and promote each resident’s independence. A nurturing and trained professional staff is available to provide assistance with activities of daily living, such as medication management, bathing, toileting and grooming, to name a few. Personalized care plans are tailored to individual’s needs, based on an assessment by The Plaza’s nursing staff.
For seniors residing on the secured Memory Care floor or “neighborhood,” a specialized recreation program has been developed to offer residents a daily routine. The Plaza’s Memory Care staff is trained with skills to engage, redirect and stimulate residents who are living with dementia. Most importantly, Plaza staff members are trained and ready to anticipate the needs of each resident and are prepared to assist them with enriching their days at The Plaza.
For seniors who may need temporary, or short-term care, The Plaza Assisted Living also offers a Respite Stay Program, which provides the same exceptional programs, services and amenities offered to permanent residents.
Since 2004, The Plaza Assisted Living has been dedicated to providing a comfortable, caring and dignified living environment in which Hawai‘i’s seniors can enjoy their retirement years. More than 11 years later, The Plaza has grown to include five assisted living communities, including Plaza locations at Punchbowl, Mililani, Moanalua, Pearl City, and a fifth location – The Plaza at Waikiki, which recently opened this fall.
A sixth Plaza location – The Plaza at Kaneohe, is currently under development, and expected to serve seniors and their families on O‘ahu’s Windward side in the near future. All totaled, these six Plaza communities will serve and care for more than 700 senior residents.
Today, The Plaza’s family of assisted living communities share the distinction of having cared for and supported over 3,000 of Hawai‘i’s seniors and their families, in its first 11 years. For more information on The Plaza Assisted Living’s communities, services or amenities, please call (808) 377-5292 or visit www.plazaassistedliving.com.
ROSELANI PLACE
Roselani Place, Maui’s premier licensed senior living community, offers independent and assisted living, respite short-term care and memory care apartments. Roselani Place offers aloha hospitality and excellent care in our ohana-family setting at an affordable price. Our mission to preserve the principles of independence, privacy, dignity, choice and home are key to the success of this community.
At Roselani Place, we believe that our residents should have the right to age in place. By understanding that each individual’s needs and desires will change over time, we are able to help plan for their long-term residence at our community.
Our residents can enjoy a life of quality, dignity and respect. Our Memory Care Unit uses the “Best Friends” approach, which empathizes with their situation, remains loving and positive. Roselani Place is conveniently located in the heart of Kahului, close to Maui Memorial Medical Center, the local malls and places of worship.
YUKIO OKUTSU STATE
VETERANS HOME
Improving Communication with a Person Diagnosed with Dementia
Communication is difficult for people with dementia. They often have problems with language that are caused by damage to their brain. First, the person may find it difficult to find their words.
As dementia progresses, the person may begin repeating themselves. In addition to verbal skills, people with dementia slowly lose their ability to read and understand written information. Some people revert back to their native language. As the dementia worsens, some people lose their ability to speak in complete sentences. Others may be able to speak, but cannot understand what is being said to them.
Later in the disease, people with dementia cannot communicate concepts and plans. They may forget even simple verbs, until eventually they may be left with only a few words or phrases, or none at all.
In order to make up for the communication losses they are experiencing, it is important that you know the person, not just his or her disease. If you know the person, you will understand a lot about their life story, habits, routines and preferences. You will know what pleases and soothes them, and what frustrates them. You won’t necessarily be able to count on their words. They may be saying one thing, and thinking and feeling something completely different. Or, they may not be able to communicate with words at all. Instead, you need to “read” their feelings, behaviors, facial expressions and tone of voice.
The important thing to remember is that people with dementia are still communicating with us, even if their ability to use words, or to understand us, is gone. Research tells us that 7 percent of our message comes from what we say. The rest comes from the pitch and tone of our voice (38 percent) and our body language (55 percent). This is incredibly important. People with dementia who have lost much of their ability to speak and understand words usually continue to have an amazing ability to “feel” non-verbals, such as body language and tone of voice. Learning how to use these tools can improve communication with the elderly who have this disease.
To find out how we can help, call the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo at (808) 961-1500. We are located at 1180 Waianuenue Ave.
ARCADIA
There’s no place like home, no matter what your age.
All it takes is a little extra help for older adults to remain independent and safe in their own homes. That’s the vision behind Arcadia Home Health Services and Arcadia At Home, operated by the Arcadia Family of Companies.
For almost 50 years, families have looked to Arcadia as a trusted resource for adult living. The not–for-profit that founded Arcadia Retirement Residence and 15 Craigside bring the same high standard of care and service to the home of older adults. The range of in-home services is designed to keep older adults healthy, happy and independent in their own home.
Arcadia Home Health Services provides older adults with the assistance they need at home when needed, without a long-term contract. All of Home Health services are provided in the comfort of your loved one’s home through Arcadia’s team of registered nurses, certified nurse aides and nurse aides. Whether it’s medical or non-medical assistance, a four-hour session or 24-hours a day, you can be assured your loved one will be well cared for.
Arcadia Home Health offers an array of services that includes: housekeeping, meal delivery, transportation for errands and medical appointments, personal care and companionship, and even home spa services.
Arcadia At Home can also provide the same services as Arcadia Home Health. In addition, Arcadia At Home is a membership program that provides the assurance of guaranteed lifetime care. As a member, you are given priority access to 15 Craigside and Arcadia in the event when 24-hour skilled nursing care is needed.
Services are currently available in Honolulu, Kailua and Käne‘ohe. Call the Arcadia Family of Companies at: 983-5900 or visit arcadia.org online to see what in-home service is the best for you or your loved one.
MANOA COTTAGE KAIMUKI
FIRST PRIVATE SKILLED NURSING
FACILITY IN HAWAII CERTIFIED IN “MUSIC AND MEMORY”
Manoa Cottage Kaimuki, a 27-bed skilled nursing facility dedicated to serving residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s, became the first private facility in Hawai‘i to be certified in “Music and Memory,” a national program that brings personalized music into the lives of the elderly through digital music technology, Music has been shown to vastly improve the quality of life of people with dementia.
Manoa Cottage Kaimuki staff create and provide personalized playlists for residents using iPod Shuffles that enable those struggling with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive and physical challenges to reconnect with the world through music-triggered memories.
Manoa Cottage Kaimuki staff collaborated with Bob Kane, faculty member of ‘Iolani Schools and instructor of the hospice class and introduced the “Music and Memory” to facility executive director and administrator Calvin Hara, who immediately sought the assistance of hospice class students and Kane to acquire iPod shuffles, obtain music and personalize the playlist of residents. Facility staff viewed the documentary “Alive Inside” which eloquently presented the “how to” approach in establishing the “Music and Memory” program.
Currently the facility has a variety of genres of music, from Hawaiian, Japanese, Okinawan, Chinese, church, to harp. In total the facility has over 800 songs in the account to select from and download to the iPod shuffle.
The success of the music triggering memories, causing re-focus and redirection of behaviors to calmness and relaxation results is another non-pharmacological approach of Manoa Cottage Kaimuki to enhance resident care. Family members are pleased and are assured that their loved one will be cared using non-pharmacological approaches in memory care. Other non-pharmacological approaches by the facility include the Namaste program, pet therapy, and monthly musical entertainment by visiting organizations and community members.
Manoa Cottage Kaimuki is pleased to be a leader in innovative memory care and desires to raise the standards of dementia and memory care in Hawai‘i. For more information, contact Manoa Cottage Kaimuki by calling (808) 426-7850.
HALE KU‘IKE: THE STANDARD FOR MEMORY CARE IN HAWAI‘I
Hale Ku‘ike is a residential care home that specializes exclusively in memory care. Our goal is to change the standard of care for those with memory impairments in Hawai‘i by serving as the model memory care residence. With a commitment to excellence, Hale Ku‘ike strives to be on par with the finest in the nation. The Hawaiian word kü‘ïke means, “to understand.” At Hale Ku‘ike, we understand the needs of those with memory loss and have created an environment that is understandable for them. We believe that joy, fun and excitement should be a part of each day. In the last decade, we have learned how to care for people with dementia in ways that minimize many of the symptoms. Our progressive, positive approach is based on the best ideas from around the world and is unique in Hawai‘i.
Our first location in Nu‘uanu has operated with great success since 2005, providing the standard for memory care in Hawai‘i. Our residence in Käne‘ohe opened in 2012 and offers the same commitment to excellence.
Each residence incorporates the following qualities: a highly trained and caring staff. Staff training is largely based on Teepa Snow’s “Positive Approach to Care” and the “Best Friends” model of care. Staff is trained to understand the experience of memory loss and to focus on residents’ strengths.
Healing gardens: Our landscape is designed to bring the beauty of our tropical island to the residents. With gated security, residents have unrestricted access to the walking paths. Numerous design elements throughout the gardens help stimulate conversations and orient residents. Seating is provided throughout for quiet reflection or visiting.
Innovative design: There is a reason behind each design element at Hale Ku‘ike. Even the smallest details were carefully researched. The home-like environment is one that actively supports the residents’ abilities while projecting a familiar and comfortable island feel.
Activities and programs: Our philosophy is to find joy in all that we do and to bring the zest of life into each day. Our comprehensive activity program keeps residents engaged throughout the day.
When visiting Hale Ku‘ike, you will find residents involved in the natural rhythms of everyday life. Familiar “living activities,” such as gardening and meal preparation, provide many opportunities for success by targeting remaining abilities. You will also find a variety of creative approaches, including therapeutic music, Tai Chi and aromatherapy, all of which support a calm and healthful atmosphere.
Fine cuisine: We believe that food nourishes the soul. Delicious food provides comfort in times of anxiety and joy in times of celebration and promotes good cheer around the table, daily. This is important for everyone, but it is especially so for people with dementia, who truly live in the moment.
Our professionally trained chefs prepare the meals and pastries from scratch with fresh ingredients. Hale Ku‘ike proudly serves as an internship site for the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapi‘olani Community College and many of our chefs are graduates of their outstanding program.
