A Partner To Family Caregivers
By Gordon Ito
President & CEO of Ito Healthcare Group
In the Islands, many feel taking care of our aging parents is our duty. It is our way of showing our respect and gratitude to them.
It is estimated that 80 percent of care for frail elders in Hawaii is provided by family members. While this care may be free, it comes at a price. Family members work tirelessly to tend to aging loved ones, often putting their own health at risk. Care-giver burnout results in all types of symptoms from physical and emotional stress.
Ito Healthcare Group provides a wide range of solutions for families that are no longer able to care for aging loved ones on their own. We opened Oahu Care Facility in Makiki nearly 30 years ago.
Oahu Care Facility offers intermediate and skilled nursing care. These are for those who need short-term care after being discharged from the hospital, and for those who need ongoing, 24/7 nursing care.
Ito Healthcare Group also provides the same services at Pearl City Nursing Home, home health and home care through Kokua Nurses, and case management services through Community Case
Management Corp. This past May, we opened Malama Adult Day Care adjacent to Oahu Care Facility, to complement our services for seniors and their families.
Malama Adult Day Care has extended hours for the convenience of those who work during the day and cannot safely leave their parents at home alone. We also serve two meals, including special diets, and have “Takeout Thursdays” to bring in restaurant meals for monthly birthday celebrations.
Randall Ito, chief operating officer, oversees Malama Adult Day Care, and Kate Kosianowski is its program director. There is a full lineup of activities each day. The morning starts with a discussion on current events for mental stimulation, followed by physical exercise. This leads to arts and crafts, music, word games, pet therapy or an occasional lunch outing. In the afternoons, adults enjoy sensory relaxation, bingo, card games or tea time, and wrap up the day with their choice of activities or taiga, which is like tai chi.
Malama Adult Day Care welcomes visitors at any time for a tour. For more information, call 489-5259.
