Promoting Education & Conversations for the Best End-of-Life Care
Many critically ill people who die in hospitals receive unwanted, distressing treatments and have prolonged pain. Many fear that their wishes will be disregarded and that they will face death alone or in misery. We are seeking to educate every resident over the age of 65 on the importance of having “The Conversation” with their loved ones and the importance of having an Advance Health Care Directive.
By holding sessions with many groups in East Hawai‘i we are giving East Hawai‘i residents the tools and confidence to have these conversations. Our partners include Hawaiʻi County Aging and Disability Resource Center, Hawaiʻi Care Choices, The Alzheimer’s Association, various East Hawaii Churches, Blue Zones Project, and dedicated volunteers.
Free Public Informational Sessions Offered
Due to the Coronavirus, in-person workshops have been canceled. See schedule below for Zoom workshops.
“Don’t wait for your doctor to start The Conversation; start the discussion on your own with family members, friends, and your health care team.” -Angelo E. Volandes, M.D.
Let us help you complete an Advance Health Care Directive that documents your end-of-life wishes. It’s free and doesn’t require an attorney.
We will provide a step by step explanation on how to complete your Advance Health Care Directive. If you already have a Living Will, a Health Care Power of Attorney, or an Advance Health Care Directive, you’ll learn how to review it to be sure it meets your needs today.
WHAT TO BRING
Information about two people that you trust to be your “Agent” and “Alternate Agent: name, street address, cell phone, home phone, and email address. They will be your Health Care Power of Attorney and will speak for you if you are no longer able to communicate.
LOCATION & CONTACT
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Training Room
1055 Kino’ole Street, Hilo, HI 96720
Tony Kent Email: akent@communityfirsthawaii.org Phone (808) 292-4559
Amy Hamane at (808) 935-1500.
*For Volcano session, call Sally Mermel, 987-0327
If you would like to host a session or become involved, please contact us.
Resources
These resources help you to assess your feelings and wishes about end-of-life care. They can help you to decide what decisions to make when filing out an Advance Health Care Directive. Click the boxes above for more information. More helpful links and contact information below.
Hawaii Advance Health Care Directive Form
Advanced Health Care Directive Checklist
Kōkua Mau is a Hawai’i-based non-profit that offers comprehensive information on Advance Care Planning, Healthcare Navigation, Caregiving, and POLST information, and a Speaker’s Bureau on these topics.
Kōkua Mau’s mission is: to weave a lei of caregiving and support so that the people of Hawai‘i facing serious illness can live in the place of their choice, with relief of pain and suffering and according to their values, beliefs and traditions.
20 University Road
7th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-301-4868
Email: Executive Director, Harriet Warshaw
Website
The Conversation Project is a national organization providing resources for individuals and organizations to help people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care.
90% of people say that talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important BUT 27% have actually done so. 82% of people say it’s important to put thier wishes in writing BUT 23% have actually done it. When is comes to end-of-life care one conversation can make all the difference. Have the conversation.
Hawai’i Care Choices stands for exceptional care that gives focused support aligned with patient choices. The service lines span a continuum of care for patients.
Palliative CARE
Can begin at diagnosis and provides support while continuing curative treatment to impact disease outcomes.
Hospice CARE
Can begin when a cure is beyond reach. Hospice care provides home care and inpatient care to increase comfort and quality of life.
Bereavement CARE
Is support for those who are in grieving process. It is offered free to community. Services can be provided in-home and in accessible locations.
Services are delivered to patients at home, but are also available at the Pōhai Mālama a Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Care Center or other private care homes where the patient resides. Hawai’i Care Choices also provides free bereavement counseling to any East Hawai’i residents who have lost a loved one (regardless of whether the loved one received hospice care).
“When Hospice of Hilo came in to help us, things got so much better. We got oxygen, we got the wheelchair, and they really helped to relieve the anxiety that was surrounding our whole situation,” said Julia Hoke, wife of Arthur Hoke, who received Hospice of Hilo care.
The Alzheimer’s Association Aloha Chapter serves all of the Hawaiian Islands. The Chapter office is on Oahu, with county offices on Hawai‘i (the Big Island), Kaua‘i and Maui. They offer support to the caregiver through educational support, empowering and validating their efforts as essential in reducing medical costs, and allowing loved ones to remain at home – keeping families together for a longer period of time.
Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
1055 Kinoole Street
Hilo, HI 96720-3872
ADRC Statewide: 808-643-2372
Hilo: 80-961-8626
Kona: 808-323-4390
The Office is a designated Area Agency on Aging, enabling the county to receive federal funds through the Older Americans Act of 1965. The Hawaii Aging and Disability Resource Center – houses various State, County and private organizations to simplify your search for aging and disability needs.
The County of Hawai‘i, Office of Aging Mission is: To establish a comprehensive and coordinated system of services in Hawai’i County that enable older people to live independently and with dignity.
Kamana Senior Center
127 Kamana Street
Hilo, HI 96720
808-961-8708
Fax: 808-961-8921
TTY: 808-961-8025
Email
The Elderly Activities Division provides comprehensive and coordinated services for older individuals, which promote maximum independence, optimum health, personal dignity and self-enrichment. EAD staff offers older adults 55 years and older many educational and recreational choices, various opportunities and services to enhance their quality of life, such as employment, volunteer opportunities, transportation, escort, information and assistance, in-home services (chore, personal care), recreational activities, congregate meals and home-delivered meals and islandwide, statewide, national and international activities (Kupuna Hula, bowling, softball, health fair, etc.).
Nā Kūpuna deserve maximum independence, optimum health, personal dignity, and self-enrichment.